Emmetsburg, Iowa — (RI) — The ethanol plant in northwest Iowa that makes the fuel from corn cobs and corn stalks is downsizing and 30 employees will be laid off in early 2020.
The POET-D-S-M’s Project Liberty cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg broke new ground in the industry according to Hugh Welsh, the company’s president for North America.
Welsh says several EPA decisions have crippled the market for cellulosic ethanol. The plant will shift to research and development and Welsh says the company is looking to license its technology elsewhere.
After layoffs in February, just 40 of 70 jobs will remain at the Emmetsburg plant.
