Three POET biorefineries will expand ethanol production capacity by a combined total of 25 million gallons in 2016, the company announced. POET Biorefining in Hanlontown, Iowa, POET Biorefining in Hudson, S.D., and POET Biorefining in Caro, Mich., each filed separate expansion permits within their respective states and will soon be producing at the level their RIN (Renewable Identification Number) permit allows.

POET is one of the world’s largest ethanol producers. The 28-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually. POET operates a network of 28 production facilities, which includes “Project LIBERTY,” a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa, built through a joint venture with Netherlands-based DSM.

“POET is always looking for ways to expand production capabilities and improve our processes across our entire network,” said Jeff Lautt, POET president and COO. “Not only will the expansions allow these three biorefineries to produce more ethanol, but each will also be expanding their co-product volume as well.”

The expansions break down as follows:

POET Biorefining – Hanlontown
– Current capacity: 58 million gallons per year (MGPY)
– Expansion capacity: 64 MGPY
POET Biorefining – Hudson
– Current capacity: 58 MGPY
– Expansion capacity: 65 MGPY
POET Biorefining – Caro
– Current capacity: 55 MGPY
– Expansion capacity: 67 MGPY

“We set production records at 17 of our biorefineries in 2015,” Lautt said. “This industry is ready to give drivers even more opportunities to use clean-burning, American-made biofuel.”