DG Fuels, a US-owned sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) company, in cooperation with the Nebraska BioEconomy, has selected Phelps County, Nebraska, for its first Midwest production facility. The plant will produce 193 million gallons of zero- or low-CO₂ lifecycle emissions SAF per year and meet ASTM fuel standards. Production is expected to begin in 2030.

DG Fuels’ manufacturing process uses cellulosic biomass, in the form of lower-value agricultural by-products such as corn stover, as its carbon feedstock. It also incorporates various forms of clean hydrogen feedstock to produce near-zero carbon fuel.

The Phelps County, Nebraska region, known for its consistently productive farmland and abundant yields, stands to generate millions of dollars per year in additional on-farm income by converting corn stover into high-value SAF. The partnership will provide 650 quality careers, offset aquifer demand by transporting water required for production via rail, offer a local community coordinator, and include a comprehensive multi-million-dollar community benefits package.

DG Fuels is also developing a SAF plant in Louisiana, salted to be operational by 2028. The company partnered with NEXTCHEM to license its NX Circular gasification technology for the Louisiana SAF plant. (Earlier post.)

This facility is being designed to produce 450 million liters (119 million gallons) of SAF annually, utilizing residual biomass and municipal waste.