POET doubles Shelbyville plant capacity

POET broke ground on an expansion project that will double bioethanol production capacity at its Shelbyville facility, the company announced.

The $200 million project will increase annual production from 98 million gallons to 193 million gallons. The expansion is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Construction began in March 2026. The upgraded facility will double its dried distillers grains and corn oil output and add 25 full-time positions.

The expansion will create demand for 32 million additional bushels of corn annually from local farmers, according to the company.

“From day one, POET has sought to unleash the power of agriculture while bringing value to farm families,” said Matt Braun, senior vice president and general manager of POET Bioprocessing. “Doubling the capacity of this facility will help us meet growing domestic and global demand for American-made biofuel and bioproducts while supporting rural economies across Indiana and beyond.”

Jordan Cushman | POETU.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson and POET executives from the company’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota, headquarters.

“This $200 million investment is a major win for Shelby County and for Indiana agriculture,” said Shreve, who represents Indiana’s 6th Congressional District. “It creates stable, domestic demand for 32 million additional bushels of Indiana corn each year.”

Jason Lucas, general manager of POET Bioprocessing Shelbyville, thanked team members, local leaders and area farmers at the event.

POET describes itself as the world’s largest biofuels producer. The company is headquartered in Sioux Falls.