ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Gevo, which makes fuels and chemicals from plant matter, has restarted commercial production of isobutanol at its plant in Luverne, Minn.
Isobutanol is an alternative to ethanol that is blended into fuel.
Gevo Inc. CEO Patrick Gruber said in a statement on Tuesday that there was some microbial contamination at the plant that the company has since learned how to control and manage by making equipment modifications, changing fermentation conditions and improving operating procedures.
The Englewood, Colo., company anticipates increasing isobutanol production and sales this year and in 2014. It plans to sell the isobutanol for market development in the specialty chemicals market, the specialty oxygenated fuel blendstock market and as a building block to make jet fuel and chemical products used in the production of bottles and fibers.
Gevo's stock rose 49 cents, or 28.3 percent, to $2.22 in morning trading. Over the last year, the shares have traded between $1.36 and $9.44.