The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved PureField Ingredients’ application for permanent geologic sequestration of CO2 from its operations in Russell, Kansas. This milestone permits the company to initiate carbon capture and storage (CCS), positioning it as a leader in low-carbon food and fuel production in the United States.
EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy and the EPA Water Division Underground Injection Control Program team issued the first Class VI well permit in Kansas to PureField’s leadership. Following final commissioning, the company will begin CCS operations, significantly reducing emissions and establishing itself as one of the lowest carbon intensity ethanol producers globally.
CEO Aaron Buettner highlighted that this approval marks a key moment for the company’s commitment to sustainability and local agriculture. “By integrating advanced wheat-based feedstock with carbon capture and storage, we are creating a platform that delivers some of the world’s lowest carbon fuels while producing essential food ingredients,” he said.
PureField operates a fully integrated system that transforms Kansas-grown wheat into food ingredients, ethanol, and animal feed, while capturing the CO2 generated during fermentation. This “nothing wasted” approach creates multiple value streams and offers a structural carbon advantage over conventional biofuel pathways.
With the added CCS technology, PureField’s ethanol boasts one of the lowest carbon intensities on the global market, with potential for net-zero or net-negative emissions. The platform also supports U.S. agriculture by providing a stable market for approximately 20 million bushels of Kansas wheat and sorghum, while reducing reliance on imported wheat protein.
Buettner emphasized that CCS will enable the company to produce more sustainable products at scale, supporting regional growth, local farmers, and future investment.
