(Pictured above: POET Bioprocessing – Obion, photo courtesy of POET).
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed three new producer plant members this week: POET Bioprocessing – Obion, Hereford Ethanol Partners LP, and PureField Ingredients LLC. Growth Energy’s total plant membership now sits at 98, and the organization continues to represent more than half of all U.S. bioethanol production capacity.
“Growth Energy’s membership is defined by its commitment to innovation, and to our shared belief that American biofuels are a solution to some of our nation’s most-pressing challenges. Our three newest plant producer members—POET – Obion, Hereford Ethanol, and PureField—perfectly embody these values,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Each of them produces millions of gallons of ethanol every year—ethanol that saves consumers money, generates income for American farmers, and delivers more high-value coproducts like animal feed and biogenic CO2. We are thrilled to welcome them to Growth Energy and look forward to connecting them with our unmatched network of biofuel producers, supporters, and solutions providers.”
POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels, has added its newest facility—POET Bioprocessing – Obion (pictured above)—to the Growth Energy membership roster. The company acquired the Tennessee-based Obion facility in 2025, increasing POET’s total production capacity by 120 million gallons and improving its access to southeastern markets. The plant provides high-performance fuel as well as premium, high-quality livestock feed solutions for regional, national, and international markets.
“POET has been with Growth Energy from the beginning,” said Joshua Shields, POET Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “No other organization can match this team’s political savvy, innovative spirit, and deep commitment to American farmers and biofuel producers. Together, we will continue to usher in a new era of growth for U.S. agriculture and homegrown energy.”
Hereford Ethanol Partners LP is a family-owned facility based in Hereford, Texas. It has a current annual capacity of 100 million gallons—a number that will grow with new improvements underway in 2026. It also supplies wet distillers grain to Friona Industries—Hereford’s sister company and the second-largest cattle feeder in North America.
“We’re excited to work alongside our new partners at Growth Energy to advocate for farmers and producers across the nation,” said Don Gales, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friona Industries. “The team at Growth Energy has a proven track record of unlocking new opportunities for America’s biofuel sector, and Hereford Ethanol Partners is proud to be a part of those conversations.”
Finally, PureField Ingredients LLC operates a 52 million-gallon integrated food and biofuels facility in Russell, Kansas, converting locally grown wheat into high-value food ingredients while utilizing residual starch to produce ethanol. The company recently began operating its carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) system—one of the first Class VI wells permitted in the United States. The CCS capability makes PureField one of the lowest carbon fuel producers in the world, and reinforces long-term demand for approximately 20 million bushels of Kansas wheat and sorghum.
“PureField sits at the intersection of food and fuel—maximizing the value of every bushel while strengthening domestic food and energy production,” said Aaron Buettner, CEO of PureField. “The addition of carbon capture provides a foundation for future growth of both food ingredient and biofuel production. We are excited to partner with Growth Energy to ensure policies continue to support U.S. producers and farmers and enable the next phase of growth in advanced biofuels.”