A former Little Falls, Minnesota, ethanol plant that was converted to biobased butanol and acetone production in 2016 it ceasing operations. Green Biologics Ltd. recently announced it has begun “an orderly closure of operations.”

Green Biologics Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based biotechnology and renewable chemical company Green Biologics Ltd., purchased the 21 MMgy Central MN Ethanol Co-op corn ethanol plant in December 2014. The acquisition was made through Central MN Renewables LLC, an affiliate of Green Biologics Inc. Construction to convert the facility began in late 2015.

The retrofitted facility began operations in 2016 and launched several renewable products, including GreenFlame lighter fluid and biobased acetone nail polish remover. Following financial difficulties, however, Green Biologics announced the plant will cease operations.

 “After a detailed review, the board of Green Biologics Limited (GBL) has concluded that it is not possible to secure funding to enable it to continue with its plan to build up sales and production levels of renewable butanol and acetone at the Group’s Little Falls, Minnesota plant to the point of cash break-even,” said the company in a notice posted to the Green Biologics website. “Accordingly, given this withdrawal of financial support, the board and managements of its subsidiary companies, Green Biologics Inc. and Central Minnesota Renewables LLC have commenced an orderly closure of operations and wind-down of those corporations for and subject to any actions by their creditors. In the short term the board of GBL will be considering strategic options for the future of GBL.”