Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has commenced operations on a second carbon capture and storage project, which will help to prevent more than 1 million tons of carbon emissions for its corn processing facility in Illinois.
The Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (ICCS) project will ‘safely and permanently store’ carbon dioxide that is produced as a by-product of ADM’s operations at the site in Decatur. The carbon is stored almost a mile and a half underground, with the project designed to demonstrate the commercial scaleability of carbon capture and storage technology in a saline reservoir.
ICCS will help ADM prevent emissions of 1.1 million tons of carbon every year. ADM had previously taken part in a smaller-scale project in Illinois that removed and stored approximately 1 million tons of carbon emissions over three years.
ADM chief technology officer Todd Werpy said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this important programme. The technology that we are using in Decatur can be a model for reducing industrial carbon emissions around the world. We’re pleased to be working with great partners in the US Department of Energy, Richland Community College and the University of Illinois – Illinois State Geological Survey, and we’re excited to move forward as we not only reduce our carbon emissions in Decatur, but also contribute to important research that will help other companies do the same.
“ADM is committed to successfully feeding the world while minimising our impact on the planet. Around the globe, across our business, from reducing waste and water usage to increasing energy efficiency to taking part in this groundbreaking carbon storage project, we are living up to our dedication to do business the right way.”
The facility in Decatur is the 12th large-scale carbon capture and storage facility in North America, but the first large-scale application of carbon capture and storage on biofuels production globally.
Jeff Erikson, general manager for the Americas region for advocacy group the Global CCS Institute, hailed ADM’s latest achievements in the field.
“With this landmark achievement, ADM will now capture and store about 1 million tons of CO2 per year,” Erikson said. “We applaud ADM for their vision and leadership, and acknowledge the foresight and wise investment provided by the US Department of Energy.”
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