FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2025

Contact:
Kevin Whitmer, IPP
kevin.whitmer@internationalprocessplants.com
973-951-3916

Enrico Steagall, NUOL
e.steagall@nuolgreenchemistry.com
626-670-6500

International Process Plants completes lease of bio-acetone & bio butanol plant to Nuol Green Chemistry

Princeton Junction, NJ – International Process Plants (IPP), a global leader in repurposing industrial manufacturing sites, has leased its unique fermentation-based bio-acetone and bio-butanol plant in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Nuol Green Chemistry, a pioneering biochemical company focused on replacing petrochemical products with renewable and sustainable alternatives.

The 40-million-gallon-per-year precision fermentation plant will serve as a key production location for Nuol Green Chemistry’s advanced bio-based chemicals, including isobutanol and acetone. Strategically located in Minnesota’s bio-focused economy with access to major highways and a rail-adjacent site, the plant offers robust infrastructure for bio-based industrial production.

“This marks another significant milestone in IPP’s mission to drive the transition toward sustainable manufacturing using assets we have versus assets that need to be built new,” said Ronald Gale, President at IPP. “Nuol Green Chemistry’s leadership and technical teams bring many decades of proven expertise in renewable feedstock fermentation and biohydrolysis, aligning perfectly with our commitment to repurposing industrial assets such as this site for a greener future.”

The 27-acre property features commercial and pilot scale fermentation and distillation systems, utilities including wastewater, and comprehensive product testing laboratories. The plant’s capabilities include:

  • Four 285,000-gallon fermenters optimized for microbial fermentation.
  • Milling, saccharification, and ultrafiltration systems for precision biochemical processing.
  • Multistage distillation and evaporation systems for high-purity bio-acetone and bio-butanol production.
  • Large-scale storage capacity for raw materials and finished products.

Nuol Green Chemistry is at the forefront of green chemistry innovation, using fermentation, low-pressure hydrogenation, esterification and transesterification to develop bio-based alternatives for industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and biofuels.

“Leasing this advanced facility from IPP enables us to accelerate the commercialization of our sustainable chemical products,” said Enrico Steagall, CEO at Nuol Green Chemistry. “With this plant, we will be able to supply high-value biochemicals that support decarbonization and reduce reliance on petrochemicals by using our novel technologies, including our unique enzymes.”

The deal demonstrates how repurposing industrial infrastructure can accelerate the transition to sustainable manufacturing. By leveraging existing assets, the collaboration reduces the need for greenfield development, minimizing environmental impact while bringing next-generation biochemicals to market.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL PROCESS PLANTS

International Process Plants is a global leader in the purchase, sale and redeployment of used and new process plants and equipment. With operations in 15 countries, the company has 18 complete plant sites, 110 complete systems and 15,000 pieces of equipment available. Its focus industries include chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, fine/specialty chemical, agrichemical/fertilizers, plastics/polymers, steel, oil/gas, food processing, power generation, paper, and metals processing/refining.

ABOUT NUOL GREEN CHEMISTRY

Nuol Green Chemistry’s vocation is innovation in its processes and products. Through biotechnology, the company develops new renewable products to replace petrochemicals in various sectors. Combining the best of sustainability and high technology, its experts are focused on distillation, fractionation, esterifications, transesterification, low-pressure hydrogenation, epoxidation, epoxy ring opening reaction, dimerization, bulk polymerization and enzyme technologies. In an innovative technique, the company applies the biohydrolysis process in product development, which offers numerous advantages for the environment and more competitive costs.

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