Based upon the superior logistics and its location in the middle of the Corn Belt, Hennepin, IL was chosen as an ideal location for our facility.

After a contract was signed with ethanol plant builder Fagen and technology provider ICM, the team broke ground in 2006.

The first load of corn was received on April 20, 2008 and the process of producing ethanol officially began.

The first official gallon of ethanol was produced at the facility establishing Marquis Energy as an operational ethanol production facility.

The first batch of ethanol produced was shipped via rail to a domestic destination.

Marquis Energy’s position on the Illinois River provides efficient access to export markets via the American inland waterway system and the United States Gulf Coast. Due to this logistical advantage, Marquis now ships a majority of its DDG by water.

Marquis Energy installed two corn oil separators on October 22, 2008. Marquis now produces 35 million pounds of corn oil annually.

Marquis exceeded 100 million gallons of production on April 20, 2009.

Marquis exceeded 125 million gallons of production on November 1, 2009.

A distilled spirits operating permit (DSP) allows a facility to ship ethanol without first denaturing the product. This permit is a key requirement for being able to meet international demand for fuel-grade ethanol. Our facility was one of the earliest corn ethanol facilities to acquire this designation.

Marquis Energy possess a unique logistical edge in the facility’s position on the Illinois River. Marquis continues to capitalize on this advantage, efficiently shipping large volumes of its ethanol across the globe.

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification program was one of the first programs to meet the stringent requirements of the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive. Being certified, we are able to demonstrate that our facility meets a high level of environmental sustainability in the production of renewable fuel. We were the first corn-based ethanol facility in the US to successfully complete an ISCC audit and become certified.

Marquis invited over 500 of our farmers out to view brand new farm equipment from New Holland and enjoy lunch with Richard Childress from RCR Racing and view the American Ethanol #3 Car.

Marquis Energy was the second ethanol plant in the US approved to sell DDGS into China. In 2013, China shut off imports to plants that were not registered, but we were able to continue our export program and garner premiums due to the supply shortages and the quality of our product.

Marquis exceeded 150 million gallons of production on October 1, 2014.

30 new employees began training on the south unit.

On Monday, December 7, 2015 the first load of corn was accepted to begin filling the south unit silos.

The first grind at the south unit occurred on January 9, 2016 and the process of producing ethanol at the new unit officially began.

On January 20, 2016 the first full team meeting was held in the completed south unit control center.  Team members, new and veteran alike, enjoyed using the new space for the monthly meeting.