New Energy Blue takes a step closer to corn stover-based ethylene and SAF

In Pennsylvania, New Energy Blue has formed New Energy Chemicals to manufacture ethylene using ethanol produced via corn stover.  The bio-based ethylene will be used by Dow to manufacture polyethylene, in line with a production pact established in May 2023. New Energy Chemicals will use the ethylene to produce sustainable aviation fuel at its Port Lavaca, TX facility.
“New Energy Chemicals gives us 360-degree downstream options for achieving liftoff of an American bioenergy revolution,” New Energy Blue CEO Thomas Corle said in a press statement. “We can pivot to mitigate market risk, seize growth opportunity, and hit lowest-carbon targets consistently.”
In late 2025, the New Energy Freedom biomass refinery in Mason City, Iowa, will begin converting local corn stalks into 16-20 million gallons per year of highly decarbonized (HD) cellulosic ethanol and 120,000 tons of HD lignin. Some of the ethanol will be sold into the California and Oregon auto fuel markets, while millions of gallons will be sent to Port Lavaca for conversion to ethylene for Dow.  The lignin can be used in paving roads and steel production.
Dow’s use of bio-based feedstocks from New Energy Blue is expected to be certified by ISCC Plus.