## Citroniq’s $7.5 Billion Investment: A Game-Changer for Nebraska’s BioEconomy
Nebraska is on the cusp of a transformative economic shift as Citroniq Chemicals, a pioneer in biochemical manufacturing, has announced Falls City as the site for one of its state-of-the-art bio-based production mega-sites. This landmark project, estimated at a staggering $7.5 billion, is poised to be the largest single investment in Nebraska’s history, injecting a massive dose of economic vitality into the state and creating a ripple effect of prosperity, particularly in rural communities.
This ambitious undertaking is a cornerstone of the Nebraska BioEconomy Initiative, a comprehensive program designed to bolster the state’s economic strength, revitalize rural areas, and cultivate a sustainable ecosystem of high-paying jobs. Citroniq will transform ethanol, a product of Nebraska’s abundant corn supply, into bio-based polypropylene, reducing reliance on petroleum-based production while generating substantial revenue for Nebraska’s farmers and rural communities.
The plant is expected to commence operations in 2029, marking a significant milestone in Nebraska’s journey towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. The project’s impact extends beyond the creation of jobs and economic growth; it signals a commitment to a greener, more sustainable approach to manufacturing, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting a circular economy.
“Citroniq’s personal engagement in the process demonstrates their dedication to integrating its Falls City presence in a way that enriches lives and strengthens ties with those who live and work in our community. We are excited to partner with Citroniq and establish Falls City as a leader in the Nebraska BioEconomy,” remarked Lucas Froeschl, Executive Director of Falls City EDGE.
“Citroniq is building the world’s largest decarbonization platform, capturing over 7 MM tons of CO2 per year, while producing byproduct bio-polypropylene pellets (OrganicPPTM) that are a critical component in the decarbonization efforts of the automotive industry and other US manufactured goods. By building multiple plants at full commercial scale, Citroniq can quickly transform the plastics industry in a material way, reducing the carbon footprint of the entire US polypropylene production base by 20%,” stated Kelly Knopp, CEO of Citroniq Chemicals.
“Our vision is to create bio-plastics manufacturing hubs in the U.S. Midwest that upgrade Nebraska corn into a wide range of durable plastics goods, while creating high paying manufacturing careers in rural communities. Nebraska is an ideal location for these hubs due to the availability of local ethanol feedstock, advantaged logistics to industrial plastics consumers and high-quality rail infrastructure to support the entire value chain,” stated Mel Badheka, President of Citroniq Chemicals.
This project stands as a testament to Nebraska’s commitment to sustainable practices, its dedication to revitalizing rural communities, and its ability to leverage its unique agricultural resources for economic growth. It firmly establishes Nebraska as the epicenter of the U.S. bio-economy, a position that promises to shape the state’s economic landscape for years to come.
