Biochemtex, a manufacturing company specializing in biofuels and renewable chemicals, announced on Monday that it will be locating its new cellulosic biofuels production operations in Sampson County, N.C.
The company will invest $200 million over the next three years and create 65 new jobs.
This new plant will produce 20 million gallons per year of cellulosic biofuel from locally grown energy crops, agricultural residues, and woody biomass.
"Biochemtex's decision is further proof that the biofuels industry is positioned for growth across our state," said Governor Pat McCrory. "We have the agricultural capacity and flexibility to provide profitable energy crop options for North Carolina farmers and cost advantaged cellulosic feedstocks for Biochemtex and the advanced biofuels industry."
The company will operate in North Carolina as Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels, which was established in early 2013 as a special purpose vehicle for delivering the first commercial scale cellulosic bio-refinery utilizing purpose grown energy crops in North America.
"We've already engaged with regional farms and farmers for the supply of energy crops and we see great opportunity for growth and additional projects where regional infrastructure matches need, said Guido Ghisolfi, CEO of Biochemtex.
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $300,000. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Sampson County Economic Development Corporation, Sampson County, City of Clinton, N.C. Department of Agriculture, NCSU - N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina.
