Adkins Energy LLC

What Adkins Energy LLC does

Adkins Energy LLC is a cooperatively owned dry mill corn-to-ethanol and biodiesel biorefinery operating from a single facility at 4350 W. Galena Road, Lena, Illinois, in continuous production since 2002. The company uses fermentation and distillation to convert locally sourced corn into over 60 million gallons of denatured fuel-grade ethanol annually, with an integrated 2.5+ million gallon biodiesel capacity fed by on-site distilled corn oil. Process technology is based on ICM designs and includes a combined heat and power (CHP) system, ICM Selective Milling Technology for improved oil and ethanol yield, and the Fluid Quip Overdrive Oil Pretreat System installed in April 2025 to lift corn oil extraction and reduce chemical operating costs. Adjacent product lines include more than 100,000 tons each of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and wet distillers grains, plus more than 1.5 million gallons of distillers corn oil. A December 2024 partnership with CapCO2 Solutions and Real Carbon Tech is intended to add an 84,000-metric-ton-per-year green methanol line by late 2027, converting captured fermentation CO2 into fuel for shipping and chemicals and projected to reduce the plant's carbon intensity score by 25 points.

The company serves a regionally concentrated customer base. Local corn producers within a 20-30 mile radius supply feedstock through Pearl City Elevator's Alliance Commodities and are simultaneously ~275 cooperative equity investors in the plant. Local dairy and beef producers purchase wet distillers grains and DDGS as high-protein feed additives. Local agricultural retailers purchase the majority of the company's biodiesel and distillers corn oil, and ethanol flows into the broader US fuel distribution network. Pricing is commodity-based and not publicly disclosed across any of the six revenue streams.

Adkins' go-to-market is built on cooperative ownership (Pearl City Elevator holds the majority interest, with members trading on the FNC Ag Stock platform under ticker ADKN), direct B2B procurement, and industry advocacy via memberships in Growth Energy, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association. The business is positioned to benefit from the May 2025 EPA waiver for year-round E15 sales and from 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit economics, while the planned green methanol line targets new enterprise buyers in global shipping and chemicals.

Name

Adkins Energy LLC

Legal name

Adkins Energy LLC

Website

https://adkinsenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Adkins Energy LLC is a cooperatively owned corn-to-ethanol and biodiesel biorefinery in Lena, Illinois, producing 60+ million gallons of ethanol annually plus DDGS, wet distillers grains, and corn oil byproducts. It supplies local corn producers, livestock operations, agricultural retailers, and fuel distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Fuels Manufacturing

NAICS

Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing (325193)

akta.pro primary industry

Grain & Sugar-Based Ethanol Production (EUAAAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin) (EUAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Ethanol production
• Biodiesel manufacturing
• Renewable fuels
• Distillers grains
• Agricultural cooperative

Headquarters

HQ city

Lena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ethanol Production and Sales: Adkins produces over 60 million gallons of denatured fuel-grade ethanol annually. Ethanol is sold through standard fuel distribution channels as a high-quality octane enhancer that reduces air pollution and improves automobile performance.
2. Biodiesel Production: Produces over 2.5 million gallons (capacity) of biodiesel annually. The company distills its own corn oil to a pure, colorless fuel virtually free of sulfur and aromatics, usable in any weather. Majority of biodiesel is purchased and sold by local ag retailers.
3. Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS): Produces over 100,000 tons of DDGS annually. Marketed as a high-value feed additive for dairy and beef rations, high in cereal proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Long shelf life due to being marketed dry.
4. Wet Distillers Grains (Wet Cake): Produces over 100,000 tons annually. Marketed as a feed additive for producers near the plant in Lena, IL. High-value feed additive for dairy and beef rations.
5. Distillers Corn Oil: Produces over 1.5 million gallons of distillers corn oil annually. Majority used in biodiesel production, with excess sold as supplement to animal feed and industrial markets.
6. Green Methanol (Future Revenue): Partnership with CapCO2 Solutions to convert ethanol plant waste CO2 to green methanol. Expected output of 84,000 metric tons per year. Green methanol is highly valuable for decarbonizing shipping industry and commercial chemicals. Project expected to be fully operational by late 2027.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Adkins Energy LLC operates a dry mill corn-to-ethanol and biodiesel biorefinery in Lena, Illinois, producing over 60 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol, 2.5+ million gallons of biodiesel, 100,000+ tons each of DDGS and wet distillers grains, and 1.5+ million gallons of distillers corn oil annually. The company also procures corn from local farmers through a cooperatively owned model and is developing green methanol production from captured CO2 via a partnership with CapCO2 Solutions.

Product overview

Adkins Energy LLC is a dry mill corn-to-ethanol and biodiesel production facility that operates as a biorefinery. The company's product portfolio centers on ethanol (60+ million gallons/year) as the core product, with integrated biodiesel production (2.5+ million gallons/year capacity). The ethanol production process generates several valuable co-products including Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS), Wet Distillers Grains (wet cake), and Distillers Corn Oil. The company is also developing an emerging green methanol product through a partnership with CapCO2 Solutions, which will convert captured CO2 emissions into green methanol for the shipping and chemical industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fuel-Grade Ethanol

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced operating costs through Overdrive System installation: higher oil yields and reduced chemical expenses (OpEx)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fluid Quip TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 24 April 2025Fluid Quip Technologies (FQT), based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announced that Adkins Energy will install FQT's Overdrive Oil Pretreat System. This technology boosts performance of existing distillers corn oil systems, creating optimal conditions for maximizing oil yield while reducing ongoing chemical costs. The skid-based system allows for quick installation and fast returns on investment.
• CapCO2 SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Carbon capture company CapCO2 Solutions has partnered with Adkins Energy to build what is described as the world's largest network for green methanol production from ethanol plant waste CO2. CapCO2's technology uses 60% less energy than conventional methanol technology and relies on small, compact modular units ($12 million modules vs $200 million conventional plant). The partnership will convert Adkins' captured CO2 into 84,000 metric tons of green methanol annually.
• Real Carbon TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 4 December 2024Real Carbon Tech (based on technology from Poland) developed the breakthrough methanol conversion technology being used by CapCO2 in the United States. Their single-phase process takes flue gas capture technology and applies it to methanol conversion without relying on syngas production like conventional fossil fuel-based operations. The technology can be housed in standard shipping containers.
• Pearl City ElevatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearl City Elevator, a local agricultural cooperative, helped form Adkins Energy LLC in 2002 and today holds a majority interest in the plant. The cooperative provides grain procurement services through Alliance Commodities, offering state-of-the-art dump facilities at four locations in northwest Illinois.
• Lena Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Adkins partnered with Lena Brewing Company to produce ethanol-based FDA-approved hand sanitizer. Adkins provided 190-proof ethanol, and Lena Brewing Company used it to produce hand sanitizer distributed free to first responders and at cost to local residents.
• Alliance CommoditiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlliance Commodities handles grain procurement for Adkins Energy, managing deliveries from local farmers. Contact at (815) 809-2667 for grain delivery information.
• Highland Community CollegeminorOthersAdkins has partnered with Highland Community College's agriculture program, providing donations for plant science lab equipment and bovine technology (ultrasound and birthing simulator). Part of ongoing community education support.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• POET: Largest U.S. dry mill corn ethanol producer with a network of biorefineries. Operates the same corn-to-ethanol + DDGS + corn oil value chain as Adkins, plus adjacent carbon capture initiatives, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Green Plains Inc. Nebraska-based ethanol producer with ~1.1 billion gallons of annual capacity. Competes head-to-head with Adkins in grain-based ethanol, distillers grains, and corn oil, and is pursuing its own decarbonization roadmap.
• Aemetis: Renewable fuels and bioenergy company developing low-carbon ethanol, renewable diesel, and SAF. Comparable product diversification (ethanol + byproducts + low-carbon projects) and similar growth-stage positioning in decarbonization markets.
• Alto Ingredients: Specialty alcohols and essential ingredients producer with corn ethanol capacity at multiple California and Midwest facilities. Closely matches Adkins' ethanol + co-products model and small-to-mid cap public peer dynamic.
• Big River Resources: Iowa-based farmer-owned ethanol cooperative with multiple plants producing ethanol, DDGS, and corn oil. Closely mirrors Adkins' cooperative ownership model and Midwestern corn-to-ethanol value chain.
• CVR Energy: Mid-cap energy company with corn ethanol and renewable diesel exposure through CVR Renewables. Overlapping product set (ethanol, DDGS, renewable fuels) and similar size band make it a relevant comparable.

Broad incumbents

• Valero Renewable Fuels: Renewables arm of Valero Energy operating a large portfolio of corn ethanol plants. Larger scale and parent-company integration make it a broad incumbent rather than a direct like-for-like peer to a single-plant operator like Adkins.
• Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Global agribusiness giant with corn processing, corn oil, and ethanol production as part of a much larger grain and ingredients portfolio. Overlapping ethanol/bioproducts capability but very different scale and business mix.
• Flint Hills Resources: Koch-owned corn ethanol producer operating multiple biorefineries across the Midwest. Competitor on ethanol and DDGS, with broader refining and chemicals portfolio providing cross-subsidization Adkins lacks.
• Cargill: Global agricultural commodity giant active in grain origination and ethanol. Comparable on grain sourcing and ethanol market participation, but operates as a vast diversified incumbent rather than a single-plant specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AdkinsEnergyLLC

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Adkins Energy LLC