ADM announces renewable natural gas project

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) will use a by-product from its corn processing facility in Decatur, US, to produce a renewable natural gas, which will be distributed by Ameren Illinois into the nation’s natural gas infrastructure.

“We’re proud to work with Ameren Illinois on this innovative project,” said Colin Graves, project manager for ADM. “Consumers and the country benefit from the addition of more clean, renewable energy into the national network, and ADM will benefit by capitalizing on environmental credits.”

Methane is a natural byproduct of the anaerobic digestion process from ADM’s Decatur wastewater treatment facility. When construction of the project is complete, ADM will purify this methane into pipeline quality natural gas and transport it to an Ameren Illinois’ gas pipeline. Ameren Illinois will then distribute the gas into the interstate pipeline system where it will be available for use as a clean, affordable transportation fuel.

“We have made a significant investment in upgrading the capacity of our natural gas delivery system," said Eric Kozak, senior director of Gas Operations for Ameren Illinois. 

Kozak added: "This project will support the delivery of clean, renewable energy to our customers while reaffirming our commitment to environmental stewardship. I want to congratulate ADM for taking this important step."

“Much like we did with our carbon capture and storage project, we are investing in technology and infrastructure in Decatur that benefits our environment, our community and our company all at once,” Graves explained. “And in this case, Decatur is going to be a model: We will be taking what we learn here and examining how best to replicate these benefits in other forms and locations across the country.”

ADM is targeting completion of construction in May 2017.