ICM Inc

What ICM Inc does

ICM, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology and process engineering company headquartered in Colwich, Kansas, founded in 1995 by Dave and Dennis VanderGriend. The company designs, engineers, and builds corn-based ethanol biorefineries and supplies proprietary process technologies and aftermarket services to the global biofuel and animal feed industries. Its core technology portfolio includes Selective Milling Technology (SMT), Fiber Separation Technology (FST), Base Tricanter System (BTS), Thin Stillage Solids Separation System (TS4), Feed Optimization Technology (FOT), and the integrated Advanced Processing Package (APP), protected by 60+ granted patents across the US, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Canada, Europe, and China. These technologies are bundled into branded feed products including SOLBRAN, Hi-Pro(40), and PROTOMAX, enabling ethanol producers to extract higher-value animal feed and corn oil coproducts.

ICM's business model combines multi-year turnkey engineering and construction contracts for greenfield and co-located biorefineries (a model prominent in its Brazilian growth), bolt-on retrofit and expansion projects, proprietary equipment manufacturing, technology licensing, and a recurring aftermarket business serving 140+ plants with parts, shutdown services, dryer maintenance, combustion services, and 24/7 plant support. The company employs 251-500 people, including 50+ engineers, and operates a regional office in São Paulo, Brazil, alongside its US headquarters. Its customer base spans large agricultural cooperatives, Brazilian ethanol producers, and North American ethanol plant operators, with cumulative project revenue exceeding $4.5 billion across 6,500+ projects at 300+ locations globally. Pricing is project-specific and quote-based, reflecting the customized, capital-intensive nature of the underlying engineering and equipment work.

Name

ICM Inc

Legal name

ICM, Inc.

Website

https://icminc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

ICM Inc is a private Colwich, Kansas-based biotechnology and process engineering firm that designs corn-ethanol biorefineries and supplies proprietary separation, milling, and feed-optimization technologies, serving ethanol producers, agricultural cooperatives, and animal feed markets across the Americas and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biorefinery process technology and engineering

NAICS

Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing (325193), Animal Food Manufacturing (3111), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Grain & Sugar-Based Ethanol Production (EUAAAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin) (EUAAAHAJ), Biofuel Feedstock Preprocessing & Pretreatment (Milling, Fractionation, Hydrolysis) (EUAAAHAF), Cellulosic Biofuels & Renewable Fuels (2G ethanol, SAF intermediates) (IMAMALAA)

Keywords

• Biorefinery design services
• Ethanol process technology
• Corn ethanol equipment
• Animal feed coproducts
• Plant retrofit engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Colwich

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Biorefinery Design & Engineering Services: ICM provides comprehensive engineering services including feasibility studies, economic modeling, process design, plant construction, and project management for ethanol biorefineries.
2. Equipment Manufacturing & Sales: Manufacturing and sale of proprietary process equipment including dryers, separators, tricanter systems, and other biorefinery components.
3. Aftermarket Parts & Services: Sale of spare parts, equipment, and comprehensive aftermarket support including shutdown services, dryer maintenance, combustion services, and 24/7 plant support.
4. Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary process technologies including SMT, FST, BTS, TS4, FOT, and Advanced Processing Package for ethanol and feed production.
5. Commissioning & Startup Services: On-site commissioning, startup support, training, and operational support services for newly constructed plants and technology installations.
6. Plant Retrofits & Expansions: Engineering services and technology upgrades for transforming existing ethanol facilities to improve productivity and profitability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ICM designs, engineers, and builds corn-based ethanol and animal feed biorefineries using proprietary process technologies, and supplies the underlying equipment, licensing, and aftermarket parts and services. Its portfolio covers separation, milling, cooking, distillation, dewatering, and feed optimization technologies, delivered through greenfield construction, co-located retrofits, and bolt-on upgrades for ethanol producers and agricultural cooperatives worldwide.

Product overview

ICM Inc is a leading provider of biorefinery design, construction, and technology solutions for corn-based ethanol and animal feed production. The company offers a portfolio of proprietary process technologies including Base Tricanter System™ (BTS™) for oil recovery, Selective Milling Technology™ (SMT™) for starch conversion optimization, Fiber Separation Technology™ (FST™) for fiber separation, Thin Stillage Solids Separation System™ (TS4™) for process efficiency, Feed Optimization Technology™ (FOT™) and FOT Oil Recovery™ for feed and oil optimization, all bundled together in the Advanced Processing Package™ (APP™). The company also produces high-value animal feed products including SOLBRAN™ (high-fiber), Hi-Pro(40) (40% protein), and PROTOMAX™ (50% protein). ICM delivers comprehensive solutions through greenfield biorefineries, co-located biorefineries, and plant retrofits, supported by engineering services, commissioning, training, and aftermarket support including equipment/parts, shutdown services, dryer maintenance, and combustion services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Selective Milling Technology™ (SMT™): Proprietary technology that increases starch exposure for enhanced ethanol yield while preserving optimal particle sizes for improved downstream separation.
• Fiber Separation Technology™ (FST™)
• Base Tricanter System™ (BTS™)
• Thin Stillage Solids Separation System™ (TS4™)
• Feed Optimization Technology™ (FOT™)
• Advanced Processing Package™ (APP™)
• SOLBRAN™
• Hi-Pro(40)
• PROTOMAX™

Products and services

• Base Tricanter System (BTS) Advanced three-phase centrifuge technology that maximizes oil recovery from the syrup stream in corn ethanol production, enabling efficient component separation in the stillage process for ethanol producers.
• Selective Milling Technology (SMT) Technology that increases starch exposure for enhanced ethanol yield while preserving optimal particle sizes for improved downstream separation of corn components, designed for corn-based ethanol producers.
• Fiber Separation Technology (FST) Technology that separates fiber from the process stream to increase ethanol yield and improve the value of feed products for animal nutrition, used by ethanol producers.
• Thin Stillage Solids Separation System (TS4) Separation system that enhances process efficiencies and increases dryer and evaporator capacities in ethanol production facilities.
• Feed Optimization Technology (FOT) Technology that optimizes feed product quality and enables process efficiencies in ethanol and animal feed production.
• FOT Oil Recovery Technology that improves solids separation in whole stillage and significantly recovers oil that would otherwise be lost in the decanter cake, setting new benchmarks for distillers corn oil recovery at ethanol plants.
• Advanced Processing Package (APP) All-in-one protein protection solution combining four ICM technologies (SMT, FOT, TS4, FST) into one efficient, low-carbon package for producing 50% protein animal feed products at ethanol plants.
• SOLBRAN High-fiber animal feed ingredient made from distillers grains with 88% digestible nutrients and 18%-22% protein, designed for beef and dairy cattle.
• Hi-Pro(40) Concentrated dried distillers grains with 40% protein content, low in fiber, that can replace significant portions of soybean meal and corn in poultry and swine diets.
• PROTOMAX Premium feed product with 50% protein concentration, higher than traditional distillers grains, meeting nutritional needs of many animal species including pets.
• Greenfield Biorefinery Complete design and construction of new corn-based biorefineries that create valuable coproducts for multiple markets including fuel, animal feed, and power, for ethanol producers and bioenergy companies.
• Co-Located Biorefinery Corn biorefineries designed to operate alongside sugarcane plants, maximizing profits while sharing the same power source and extending operations beyond the sugarcane season, targeted at Brazilian sugarcane ethanol producers.
• Plant Retrofits Engineering services and technology upgrades that transform existing ethanol facilities to be more productive and profitable through improved efficiency, capacity expansion, and new technology integration.
• Engineering Services Comprehensive process engineering including mass and energy balance preparation, process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams, with expertise in piping, electrical, and automation engineering for ethanol plant projects.
• Commissioning and Startup Services Comprehensive support for newly constructed plants and facilities installing ICM technologies, including thorough inspection of control systems, safety features, and equipment performance.
• Training Services Customized training programs to help plant employees acclimate to ICM technologies at every level of operation, with hands-on instruction at customer facilities.
• Equipment and Parts Spare parts and equipment supply with quick turnaround for quotes, competitive pricing, custom manufacturing, and in-house pressure vessel and tank fabrication for ethanol plants.
• Shutdown Services Comprehensive maintenance repairs and equipment upgrades managed by a single team during planned plant outages, with pre-planning to identify work hazards and minimize downtime.
• Dryer Maintenance Comprehensive dryer maintenance including inspections, tire shimming, trunnion alignments and adjustments, tire and trunnion grinding, and drum drive replacement parts.
• Combustion Services Predictive maintenance services including safety trips, emissions control, valve replacements, airflow adjustments, combustion-efficiency adjustments, operational audits, and compliance tuning for ethanol plant dryer systems.
• Feasibility Study and Economic Model Project development assessment including market research and economic models covering capital expenditures, operational expenses, EBITDA, payback period, return on investment, and internal rate of return.
• Plant Evaluation and Optimization Comprehensive evaluation of equipment performance, plant management, nutrition analysis, and operational costs to create efficiency improvement plans for ethanol plants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plants using ICM technologies produce 35 billion liters of ethanol and 25 million tons of animal feed annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature15 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FS Indústria de Etanol S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2025ICM signed a Professional Services and Equipment Purchase Agreement with FS to design and supply a new greenfield dry-mill grain ethanol facility near Campo Novo do Parecis, Mato Grosso. The plant will produce 540 million liters annually and is FS's fourth greenfield plant. ICM will provide proprietary technologies including BTS, SMT, and FST along with engineering, process design, startup services, and equipment. Completion expected December 2026.
• COAMO Agroindustrial CooperativacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025ICM was selected to provide professional services and equipment for a new dry-mill corn ethanol production facility at COAMO's industrial site in Campo Mourão, Paraná. ICM will deliver engineering, construction review, training, commissioning, and project management services. The project integrates three ICM proprietary technologies (BTS, SMT, FOT) and is expected to begin operations in Q3 2026.
• Neomille (Cerradinho Bioenergia subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM partnered with Cerradinho Bioenergia for the construction of Neomille in Maracaju, MS - Brazil's first standalone corn biorefinery. ICM provided technology, training, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement support. The partnership continued with Neomille #2 project in Maracaju (560 MLPA).
• Impacto EnergiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM provides engineering support and technologies for Impacto Energia's ethanol operations. After thorough evaluation of global technologies, ICM emerged as the ideal partner for corn processing and ethanol production.
• CleanStar VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM designed and built a cassava-based ethanol plant in Mozambique in partnership with CleanStar Ventures, Novozymes, and Bank of America. The facility produces clean-burning cooking fuel for thousands of families.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM employees partner with Habitat for Humanity and have built more than 20 houses for local families who lack access to traditional home ownership in the United States.
• United Way of the PlainsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM collaborates with United Way of the Plains to raise funds for health and human service programs benefiting people throughout South Central Kansas.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM provides ongoing support for the Salvation Army's social services in Brazil, including disaster response, childhood education, homelessness assistance, and anti-human trafficking programs.
• Orphans UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM partnered with Orphans Unlimited to supply seeds to more than 2,000 people in Mozambique for growing rice, beans, and peanuts to alleviate poverty through farming.
• Union Rescue MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM helped establish a sheltered environment where homeless individuals can eat, sleep, shower, and learn life skills through partnership with Union Rescue Mission.
• Wichita Young LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICM supports Wichita Young Life, a program focusing on introducing adolescents to Christianity and assisting in their spiritual growth.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Whitefox Technologies: UK-based provider of membrane dehydration and energy-efficiency technology for ethanol production. Direct competitor in retrofit technology sales to the same ethanol producer customer base ICM serves.
• Novonesis (formerly Novozymes): Global biotechnology company providing enzymes and microbial solutions for biofuel production, including partnerships with ICM on the Mozambique cassava-to-ethanol project. Adjacent tech peer whose enzyme innovation directly affects ethanol plant yields.
• LanzaTech: Carbon recycling company commercializing gas fermentation for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel from industrial off-gases. Emerging alternative pathway whose commercial success could redirect customer capex away from ICM's grain-based technologies.

Broad incumbents

• POET: Largest US ethanol producer and developer of proprietary biofuel process technologies (POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels joint venture for cellulosic). Closest direct comparable in corn ethanol plant design and operational know-how; broader in scope as an integrated producer-operator.
• Alfa Laval: Global industrial equipment manufacturer supplying separation, heat transfer, and fluid handling equipment to food, biofuel, and chemical industries. Provides centrifuges and separation technology competing with ICM's BTS tricanter offerings.
• GEA Group: German industrial machinery group supplying separators, homogenizers, and process equipment to food, dairy, and biofuel industries. Competes in separation equipment and broader plant engineering for downstream biorefinery applications.
• Cargill Bioindustrial: Global agribusiness with corn wet milling and bioindustrial product lines producing ethanol, corn oil, and animal feed ingredients. A vertically integrated incumbent sharing overlapping end markets with ICM's biorefinery and feed customers.

Direct peers

• Vogelbusch Biocommodities: Austrian engineering firm specializing in biorefinery design, fermentation, and distillation technology for ethanol and bio-based chemicals. Direct peer in providing process technology and plant engineering services to global ethanol producers.
• Praj Industries: Indian engineering and technology company providing ethanol plant design, process technology, and equipment for grain- and molasses-based biofuel facilities worldwide. Direct peer in turnkey ethanol biorefinery engineering with similar customer base in emerging markets.

Regional players

• Raízen: Brazil's largest sugarcane ethanol producer and a Shell joint venture, recently entering corn ethanol production. Regional incumbent in the same Brazilian corn ethanol market where ICM is winning major greenfield contracts with FS, COAMO, and Neomille.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/icm_technology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icm-inc_2
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdLGXfC4m2JOFJj3xoLGQZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/icmtechnology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICM Inc