Cardinal Ethanol opens doors to public for National Manufacturing Day
Cardinal Ethanol opened its Union City plant to the public on October 6, 2026, as part of National Manufacturing Day. The event aimed to educate visitors about the ethanol production process and showcase the facility's operations. The plant processes approximately 50 million bushels of corn annually, producing ethanol, animal feed, corn oil, and carbon dioxide. Visitors enjoyed free refreshments, giveaways, and guided tours of the facility.
President and CEO Tom Ranallo emphasized the company's commitment to being good stewards and neighbors, highlighting how agriculture and modern manufacturing support the community. Chad Lindow, process and lab manager, noted that this was the first time the plant hosted such an event and expressed interest in making it a regular occurrence. The plant employs 70 local workers and acquired a facility in Kansas in 2024.
Founded in 2005, Cardinal Ethanol's Union City plant began operations in 2008. It celebrated producing its 1 billionth gallon of ethanol in 2017 and reached 2 billion gallons in 2025. The plant's byproducts include animal feed, corn oil, and carbon dioxide. In March 2026, the EPA approved a permit for One Carbon Partnership to store carbon dioxide underground at the facility, allowing up to 450,000 metric tons annually for 30 years.