Nebraska Corn Ethanol Facility to Produce Sustainable Plastic
Citroniq plans to build a bio-polypropylene production facility in southeast Nebraska that will use corn ethanol instead of fossil fuels. The plant will be located near Falls City and will provide logistical advantages due to its proximity to two major rail lines and the Missouri River.
The company's CEO, Kelly Knopp, said the product is chemically identical to conventional polypropylene but is made from a renewable feedstock. The facility will create a significant new source of demand for corn, requiring approximately 137 million bushels each year through ethanol production.
Citroniq plans to market its bio-based polypropylene primarily to the automotive and construction industries, where it can replace conventional plastic without changing manufacturers' existing processes. The company targets a groundbreaking in late 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2029.