ADM partners with OCOchem on CO2 conversion plant in Illinois, USA
This collaboration represents a strategic step in demonstrating how CO2-derived formates can emerge as cost-competitive, next-generation C1 platform chemical.
USA – Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced plans to host a new field demonstration plant at its corn processing complex in Decatur, Illinois, that will convert biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from its ethanol production stream into carbon-negative molecules for use in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications.
The project will be developed in partnership with OCOchem, a Washington-based technology company specializing in CO2 electrolysis and conversion.
OCOchem will construct and operate the facility using its proprietary Carbon FluX Electrolyzer technology, which directly converts captured CO2 and water into sustainable formate molecules.
Announced Aug. 18, plant construction is expected to begin later this year and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
According to OCOchem, the technology offers a cost-effective route to transform CO2 into organic molecules that can replace fossil fuel-derived formates and their derivatives.
“The partnership with ADM will help enable OCOchem to bring our CO2 electrolysis process to a commercial scale and start meeting early customer demand for our carbon-negative, biogenic, sustainable formate products at competitive market prices,” said Todd Brix, co-founder and chief executive officer of OCOchem.
ADM said the project reflects its commitment to developing new pathways for carbon management.
“We’re pleased to work with OCOchem to advance a high-potential pathway for converting captured CO2 into valuable, carbon-negative molecules,” said Kris Lutt, president of sustainable materials and strategic initiatives at ADM.
According to ADM, OCOchem has rapidly scaled an impressive CO2 conversion technology that aligns with the company’s strategy to lead in industrial carbon management and sustainable molecule production.
“This collaboration represents a strategic step in demonstrating how CO2-derived formates can emerge as cost-competitive, next-generation C1 platform chemical, supporting lower-carbon supply chains and unlocking new value across the bio-based economy,” ADM added.
The demonstration plant will produce formate molecules and derivatives such as formic acid, potassium formate, and ethyl formate.
These compounds are expected to serve multiple markets, including agriculture, fertilizers, biomass upgrading, crop protection, water treatment, de-icing chemicals, industrial solvents, cleaning products, pharmaceutical ingredients, and flavors and fragrances.
OCOchem emphasized that the Decatur plant will be among the few scaled modular CO2 conversion facilities globally, highlighting its potential to demonstrate both economic viability and technical feasibility in an industrial environment.
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