For the second year, Verbio is harvesting corn stover to be used as a feedstock to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) at its large-scale plant in Nevada, Iowa, and looking to begin ethanol production later this year.

“We are excited about this new harvest season,” says Greg Faith, President of the Verbio Nevada Biorefinery. “Unlocking the value of organic residue materials by creating RNG is a rapidly growing market in the United States. Successfully cooperating with local growers in the region is the foundation of our business, especially here in Iowa. The potential benefits of corn stover as a renewable fuel source are massive. We are planning to harvest approximately 135,000 bales of stover required to ensure full production over the next 12 months.”

Once a farmer has completed harvest in a field that is under contract, Verbio’s agronomy team chops, bales, and hauls corn stover off to be stored on site at the Nevada plant and used in the RNG production process. Verbio has been producing renewable natural gas from corn stover on an industrial scale at the Nevada plant since December 2021. It is injected directly into the natural gas distribution and transmission grid to be utilized as a climate friendly green fuel.

Besides looking forward to a successful corn stover harvest for RNG production, Verbio is working on the commissioning of ethanol production in addition to the biomethane produced at the Nevada plant. Operations are expected to begin in the 4th quarter of 2023. “The integration of RNG and ethanol production, unique to Verbio, incorporates advanced operational technology to build on the company’s successful experiences in Europe. The Verbio Nevada biorefinery will be the largest plant in the country to utilize this advanced technology. It will open up even more opportunities to the Iowa farmer, as well as provide a renewable alternative solution to fossil fuels.”