MINNEAPOLIS, May 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogenic Reagents – the leading producer of high-value carbon products from renewable biomass – today announced that it has initiated commercial production from a new bioreactor at its Marquette, Michigan production facility. The new reactor, which is the largest of its kind in the world, converts wood to high-purity carbon products that are used to purify water and air and improve agricultural production. The facility will create and support many jobs and provide significant economic and environmental benefits to the region.
James Mennell, Chief Executive Officer of Biogenic Reagents, said, "At Biogenic, we are excited to tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges facing the planet today. This new, state of the art facility will enable farmers, governments and companies to better meet the demands of a growing population for clean water, air and food. It is exciting to build something of this scale that creates jobs and makes sustainable products that have a positive impact on the world."
The new reactor produces activated carbon that is used globally to purify drinking water and to reduce emissions from power plants. The reactor also produces a proprietary agricultural carbon soil amendment that increases crop yields, retains nutrients and reduces water requirements and runoff by capturing and holding nutrients and water in the root zone of plants. Biogenic Reagents has built an expansive patent portfolio surrounding its proprietary process that has the lowest environmental footprint and best sustainability profile of any carbon producer.
The expansion was funded by more than $31 million in financing from MVC Capital, Inc., National New Markets Fund, and Chase New Markets Tax Credit Group.
About Biogenic Reagents
Biogenic Reagents is a developer and producer of versatile, high-performance carbon products made from renewable resources. The company offers less expensive, higher-performing and cleaner alternatives to traditional coal-based carbon products. Privately held, Biogenic Reagents is headquartered in Minnesota with a production facility in Michigan. More information about Biogenic can be found at www.biogenicreagents.com.