Gevo plans major North Dakota expansion, boosting low-carbon ethanol output, carbon capture capacity, and supporting sustainable fuels and aviation growth opportunities.
Gevo, Inc., a recognized player in the sustainable fuels and carbon management space, has announced that it is actively developing plans for a significant expansion at its Gevo North Dakota (GND) facility located in Richardton, North Dakota. The proposed project involves the addition of a second ethanol production unit at the site, with a targeted capacity of up to 75 million gallons per year (MGPY) of low-carbon ethanol. This initiative reflects the company’s broader strategy to scale up its production capabilities while strengthening its position in the low-carbon fuel market.
According to Paul Bloom, President of Gevo, the GND facility represents one of the most strategically advantageous locations in the United States for expansion. He emphasized that North Dakota offers a supportive environment for both agriculture and energy development, with local farmers consistently improving productivity. The site already benefits from critical infrastructure, including established carbon capture and sequestration systems as well as access to suitable underground pore space for long-term carbon storage. By leveraging engineering and development work previously undertaken for another project, Gevo expects to deploy capital more efficiently, minimize execution risks, and accelerate the growth of its carbon-related business. The expansion is also expected to enhance the company’s ability to produce low-carbon fuels and valuable co-products.
Earlier in the year, Gevo had already revealed plans to incrementally increase the production capacity of the existing GND facility from 67 MGPY to 75 MGPY within the coming year. The facility operates as an integrated system that combines ethanol production with carbon dioxide capture and permanent sequestration. This integrated approach allows Gevo to generate additional revenue streams by participating in voluntary carbon markets and low-carbon fuel programs. By lowering lifecycle carbon intensity, the company can also support the production of sustainable fuels, including synthetic aviation fuel through alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) conversion pathways.
If the newly proposed expansion is implemented alongside the previously announced capacity increase, the GND site could achieve a combined production capacity of approximately 150 MGPY of low-carbon ethanol. In addition, the facility is expected to capture more than 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, while also producing co-products such as animal feed and corn oil. The captured biogenic CO2 plays a key role in Gevo’s expanding carbon business, supporting both low-carbon fuel initiatives and the rapidly growing voluntary carbon credit markets. This carbon dioxide can be utilized in industrial processes, including enhanced oil recovery, or permanently stored to generate carbon removal credits.
Bloom noted that the expansion would further strengthen Gevo’s ability to meet increasing domestic and international demand for low-carbon ethanol. It also lays the groundwork for future large-scale opportunities in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector. The company has received strong interest from potential financial partners, highlighting confidence in the commercial viability and strategic importance of the project. Gevo is currently evaluating these opportunities carefully to ensure that the expansion aligns with its goals of delivering sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.
As the company moves forward, it plans to continue working closely with state, county, and local stakeholders. The expansion aligns well with the reaffirmed priorities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard, positioning Gevo to support agricultural communities, boost rural economic development, and contribute to greater energy independence in the United States.
