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From kernel to biofuel
Take a deep dive into Red Trail Energy ’ s bioethanol manufacturing process
Founded in 2003 , Red Trail Energy LLC ( RTE ) is a North Dakota-based investor group . “ We are focused on financing , constructing , and , since 2007 , operating a 50-million-gallon name-plate capacity corn-based bioethanol production facility near Richardton , North Dakota ,” opens Jodi Johnson , CEO of RTE . “ RTE is 100 percent investor-owned and governed by a board of directors encompassing seven members ,” she adds .
Jodi explains in greater detail what RTE ’ s production footprint looks like . “ Each year , RTE produces 65 million gallons of bioethanol , utilizing 23 million bushels of corn . In simpler terms , one bushel of corn enables us to generate 2.85 gallons of bioethanol . This bioethanol serves as a sustainable fuel in the transportation sector . Additionally , we specialize in manufacturing coproducts . Per year , this includes 125,000 tons of dried distillers grains , 80,000 tons of modified distillers grains , 25,000 tons of syrup , all of which are sold as animal feed , and 20 million pounds of distillers corn oil , which acts as a feedstock for second generation biofuel ,” she enlightens .
To support the production of its bioethanol , RTE operates a state-of-the-art plant in North Dakota , which Jodi tells us all about . “ Originally established as a coal-fired facility , our plant was converted to run on natural gas in 2016 .
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