Project can annually prevent more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering atmosphere.

April 11, 2017

2 Min Read
ADM begins operations for second Carbon Capture & Storage project

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) recently announced that the Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) project, a partnership to safely and permanently store more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, has begun operations.

“We are extremely proud to be part of this important program,” ADM chief technology officer Todd Werpy said. “The technology that we are using in Decatur (Ill.) can be a model for reducing industrial carbon emissions around the world. We’re pleased to be working with great partners in the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Community College and the University of Illinois – Illinois State Geological Survey, and we’re excited to move forward as we not only reduce our carbon emissions in Decatur but also contribute to important research that will help other companies do the same.”

Jeff Erikson, general manager of the Americas region with the Global CCS Institute, said 2017 is a watershed year for carbon capture in the U.S. “On the heels of the successful opening of Petra Nova in Texas, the Illinois Industrial facility serves as another example that large-scale CCS deployment works, is safe and serves as a key component of a low-carbon future. The Illinois Industrial CCS facility is the 12th large-scale CCS facility operating in North America and the first large-scale application of CCS on biofuels production in the world. With this landmark achievement, ADM will now capture and store about 1 million tons of (carbon dioxide) per year. We applaud ADM for their vision and leadership and acknowledge the foresight and wise investment provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.”

The project captures carbon dioxide, which is created as a byproduct at ADM’s Decatur corn processing facility, and stores it safely almost a mile-and-a-half underground in the Mt. Simon Sandstone. With the capability to store 1.1 million tons of carbon annually, the Illinois Industrial CCS is designed to demonstrate the commercial-scale applicability of CCS technology in a saline reservoir. The project is currently permitted to operate for five years and has the potential to store up to 5.5 million tons of carbon dioxide.

This is the second CCS project ADM has helped lead. Previously, the company removed and stored approximately 1 million tons of carbon over three years as part of the smaller-scale Illinois Basin – Decatur Project, led by the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium at the University of Illinois.

“ADM is committed to successfully feeding the world while minimizing our impact on the planet,” Werpy continued. “Around the globe, across our business, from reducing waste and water usage to increasing energy efficiency to taking part in this groundbreaking carbon storage project, we are living up to our dedication to do business the right way.”

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