Oakley, KS — In a significant step towards sustainable ethanol production, Whitefox Technologies has installed its ICE® XL membrane dehydration system at Western Plains Energy’s ethanol facility in Oakley, Kansas. This installation, the first of its kind in the U.S., allows Western Plains to reduce natural gas and steam consumption by 50% and increase production capacity by 25%, driving both environmental and economic benefits.

Whitefox’s ICE® XL system is part of an advanced distillation, dehydration, and evaporation (DD&E) process that fully replaces traditional molecular sieves, providing continuous processing with lower energy and water requirements. “The Whitefox ICE® XL system is a fully integrated solution,” explained Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy. “It enables us to reduce our steam usage by up to 50%, which is a big step towards our net zero carbon goal.”

This technology aligns with Western Plains Energy’s net-zero ambitions, initially set in 2019, and represents a collaborative achievement for both companies. Whitefox CEO Gillian Harrison noted, “The project has embodied the true spirit of collaboration. Together, we have created ultra-low energy ethanol, driving down emissions with support from the USDA and Innovate UK.”

“The Whitefox ICE® XL system enables us to reduce steam usage by up to 50%, advancing our net-zero goal.” – Derek Peine

With Whitefox’s 18th installation and six more in progress, the ICE® XL system underscores the potential for renewable ethanol as a low-carbon resource that can support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), green chemicals, and other industries. “Western Plains and Whitefox are proving that Net Zero are not just words but a commercial and environmental reality,” added Harrison.