The News
PureField Ingredients announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the company's request to begin permanent geologic sequestration of CO2 from its Russell, Kansas operations. The company will start carbon capture and sequestration operations once fully commissioned, which will help reduce emissions and position PureField as one of the lowest carbon intensity ethanol producers globally. The process involves capturing CO2 generated during fermentation and permanently storing it underground.
PureField Ingredients has secured the EPA’s final Class VI permit to capture and store CO₂ from its ethanol plant in Russell, Kansas—a first for the company and a rare move in the U.S. CCS landscape. The approval gives PureField a 12‑year, 1.8 million‑ton storage window that places it among only five such permits nationwide.
The Class VI underground injection permit allows permanent storage of up to 1.8 million metric tons over twelve years—about 150 000 metric tons per year. That capacity represents roughly 0.03 % of U.S. annual emissions and, with only five permits issued nationwide, places the project among the handful of large‑scale CCS sites in the country.
Section 45Q credits $102 per ton of stored CO₂, which translates into an estimated $15 million annual revenue stream for PureField’s ethanol operations. The credit makes the plant’s low‑carbon fuel attractive to buyers who must meet California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and other carbon‑pricing regimes.
The plant draws around 20 million bushels of Kansas wheat and sorghum each year—about 16 % of the state’s total production of 125 million bushels. By converting residual starch into ethanol and animal feed while capturing CO₂, PureField runs on a “nothing wasted” model that could reduce upstream costs for both food ingredient and fuel buyers.
Only five Class VI permits exist nationwide, and each requires extensive public comment, detailed site assessments, and long‑term monitoring commitments extending 50 years after operations cease. Companies looking to add low‑carbon fuels must therefore partner with firms that already hold the necessary permits or lobby for streamlined approval pathways.
For on‑premise managers, securing PureField’s ethanol under an LCFS‑oriented contract can help meet low‑carbon fuel standards while potentially earning tax‑credit upside. For off‑premise buyers, the plant’s 150 k metric‑ton annual capture capacity is the sole Class VI project in the region with a guaranteed twelve‑year storage horizon—an important consideration when evaluating future low‑carbon supply options and anticipating regulatory shifts.
Original Press Release
PureField Ingredients announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the company's request to begin permanent geologic sequestration of CO2 from its Russell, Kansas operations. With this approval, PureField is set to launch one of the most advanced integrated food, fuel, and carbon platforms in the United States.
Following final commissioning, PureField will immediately begin carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) operations, unlocking a step-change reduction in emissions and establishing the company as one of the lowest carbon intensity ethanol producers globally.
"This is a defining moment for PureField to meet our commitment to serve Kansas farmers and our customers in the U.S. and around the world," said Aaron Buettner, CEO of PureField Ingredients. "By combining our advanced, wheat-based feedstock with carbon capture and permanent storage, we are creating a structurally advantaged platform that delivers some of the lowest carbon fuels in the world while simultaneously producing essential food ingredients."
A Differentiated, Integrated ModelPureField operates a purpose-built, fully integrated system that maximizes the value of every bushel of grain:
Kansas-grown wheat is processed into functional ingredients used across a variety of food applications
Residual wheat starch is converted into ethanol and animal feed
CO2 generated during fermentation is captured and permanently stored underground
This "nothing wasted" model creates multiple value streams from a single input while delivering a structural carbon advantage versus traditional biofuel pathways.
Game-Changing Carbon AdvantagePureField's differentiated feedstock, derived from residual wheat starch, starts with a significantly lower carbon intensity than conventional biofuels. The addition of CCS further amplifies this advantage:
Ethanol pathway positioned among the lowest CI fuels in the market globally
Potential to achieve net-zero or net-negative carbon intensity under applicable methodologies
Structural advantage driven by the combination of advanced feedstock + CCS
Together, this represents a step-change in both renewable fuels and food ingredient production.
Strengthening U.S. Agriculture and Enabling Future GrowthPureField's integrated model with CCS creates a platform for continued expansion of U.S. agriculture and manufacturing:
Supporting local farmers with a durable demand channel for ~20 million bushels of Kansas wheat and sorghum
Producing high-quality functional wheat protein domestically, reducing reliance on imports that currently supply ~70% of U.S. demand
"With CCS in place, PureField will be able to deliver more sustainable products at scale, while reinforcing our commitment to Russell and the surrounding region," Buettner added. "It strengthens our position as a long-term employer, supports local agriculture, and creates a foundation for continued growth and investment—driven by the dedication and capabilities of our team."
About PureField IngredientsPureField Ingredients operates a premier U.S.-based integrated food ingredient and advanced biofuels platform. From its Russell, Kansas facility, the company produces high-quality functional wheat protein ingredients and low-carbon biofuels from U.S.-grown crops. With the addition of carbon capture and sequestration, PureField is establishing a new benchmark for carbon performance across both food and fuel markets.
Media Contact:Andrea Zarate785-261-0355andrea.zarate@purefield.com
Sources consulted (web research):
- Epa Grants First Class Vi Ccs Permit In Kansas
- Kansas Steps Onto Carbon Capture Map With Epa Nod For Ethanol Project
- 122225 Us Epa Tentatively Approves First Carbon Sequestration Project…
- Purefield Ingredients Secures Epa Approval For Carbon Capture Project…
- Article 4e430863 59e5 581d B8bc B38bd6b765db
- Purefield Ingredients Receives Us Epa Approval For Ethanol Carbon Cap…
Source: PR Newswire