The world’s largest ethanol producer opened a third plant in Ohio on Friday. POET Biorefining – Marion is POET’s 26th ethanol plant, bringing the company’s total annual capacity to 1.54 billion gallons.

Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) joined company representatives and local dignitaries for the opening ceremony.

“I could not be more proud of POET’s commitment to Ohio agriculture and Ohio jobs, and our nation’s national security,” Sen. Voinovich said. “This facility, along with the plants opened in Leipsic and Fostoria, represent a critical part of Ohio’s future economy and reaffirm Ohio’s role as one of the top agricultural states and as one of the leading innovators and developers of alternative energies in the nation. POET’s commitment could not come at a more needed time for our nation’s environmental, economic and national security needs.”

POET was recently listed by Forbes as one of “Eight Promising Alternative Energy Companies.” The company’s next major milestone will be the start of ethanol production before the end of the year at a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant currently under construction in Scotland, S.D.