Mannheim, 4 July 2008 ? CropEnergies AG, Mannheim, has completed the expansion of the capacity of their bioethanol plant in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt, as planned.
After a construction time for the extension of only 13 months, the original annual capacity of the Zeitz location of 260,000 m³ of bioethanol has been increased by a further 100,000 m³ to 360,000 m³. This increase was carried out in two stages. The existing plant, which processes cereals and sugar syrups into bioethanol, was expanded by an additional 40,000 m³ of bioethanol per annum. The newly-built plant with an annual capacity of 60,000 m³ exclusively processes sugar syrups originating from the neighbouring sugar factory. With this expansion, the Zeitz factory is by far Europe's largest bioethanol plant.
At the Zeitz plant, a total of over ? 50 million has been invested in the expansion of the bioethanol production. As a result of the extension, the number of staff employed at Zeitz has now risen to 104.
With the completion of this expansion of the bioethanol plant in Zeitz, which follows the takeover of Ryssen Alcools S.A.S at the end of June 2008, CropEnergies has achieved another important milestone on schedule in its programme of expansion. At the end of the year, a further plant with a capacity of up to 300,000 m³ of bioethanol annually will go on stream in Wanze, Belgium. At the end of financial year 2008/09, CropEnergies will then have a capacity of over 700,000 m³ of bioethanol per annum available.
Results for the first quarter 2008/09 will be published on 9 July 2008.
The CropEnergies AG
The CropEnergies Group - a member of the Südzucker Group - is an established leading European producer of bioethanol for the fuel sector.
Crop stands for creative regeneration of power. Energy in the form of bioethanol is produced from renewable resources, grain and sugar beets. With subsidiaries in Germany, France, and Belgium, CropEnergies has established itself as a bioethanol producer in a growing market in just a few years and it operates todays largest bioethanol plant in Europe in Zeitz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. CropEnergies considers itself a pioneer on the German bioethanol market and expands its market position in Europe. The shares of CropEnergies AG (ISIN DE000A0LAUP1) are listed in the Prime Standard at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.