ADM launches world’s largest bioethanol carbon capture facility in Nebraska
The project leverages the Trailblazer pipeline of Tallgrass, a leading energy infrastructure company, to transport captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from its ethanol plant.
USA – Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has begun carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations at its corn processing complex in Columbus, Nebraska, marking a major milestone in industrial decarbonization.
The facility, now recognized as the world’s largest bioethanol carbon capture site, uses the Trailblazer pipeline operated by Tallgrass Energy to transport captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) from ADM’s ethanol plant for permanent underground storage in eastern Wyoming.
According to ADM, the project represents a significant step in its strategy to reduce emissions and provide low-carbon food and feed ingredients.
The Trailblazer pipeline, spanning roughly 400 miles across Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, has been repurposed from a natural gas transmission system to one capable of carrying more than 10 million tons of CO₂ annually.
The CO₂ captured at ADM’s Columbus facility will be safely injected deep underground at Tallgrass’ Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub.
“ADM has been a pioneer in the CCS industry for more than a decade, and this is an expansion of that expertise,” said Chris Cuddy, president, North America at ADM.
According to him, CCS is an important part of our strategy to decarbonize ADM’s operations and meet global demand for low-carbon ingredients.
“We are proud to work with Tallgrass to find innovative solutions at facilities like Columbus. This is an exciting project for the industry and for the future of CCS technology.”
The initiative demonstrates how collaboration between biofuel producers and energy infrastructure firms can advance carbon management at scale.
Tallgrass constructed a dedicated lateral line to connect ADM’s plant to the Trailblazer system, using only voluntary landowner easements, underscoring a community-driven approach to project development.
“This project proves that global impact grows from local roots,” said Alison Nelson, segment president of CO₂ business development and origination at Tallgrass, adding that the company is proud to stand with ADM in achieving this milestone.”
ADM, a global leader in agricultural processing and nutrition, has been active in CCS for more than ten years, previously operating similar projects at its Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage facility in Decatur.
With the launch of the Nebraska site, ADM reinforces its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and supporting the biofuels sector’s transition toward lower-carbon operations.
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