Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, MN, is celebrating 25 years of successful operations this week.

On April 29, 1996 the process of converting corn into ethanol began with the first corn being ground. Originally constructed as a 10 million gallon a year facility, Al-Corn has undergone a series of expansion and modernization projects and now produces 125 million gallons annually. Each year the company grinds over 42 million bushels of corn and can produce 269,000 tons of high protein livestock feed, as well as 44 million pounds of corn oil.

“While some may say we are a ‘first-generation’ ethanol plant, the reality is we are in the forefront of the ethanol industry due to our relentless focus on continuous improvement” said Al-Corn CEO Randall Doyal, who is also past chair of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “Al-Corn continues to utilize innovative technologies and creativity in order to reduce energy consumption and production costs while at the same time increasing efficiencies and reducing emissions.”

Al-Corn joins Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) of Benson, Minnesota in celebrating 25 years this month. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper notes that both Al-Corn and CVEC were essential contributors to what became known industry-wide as the “Minnesota Model” – a grassroots effort focused on developing policies and public-private partnerships to facilitate growth and local ownership in the state’s ethanol industry. The state’s comprehensive approach to supporting ethanol became a model for other Midwestern states to adopt.