ICM to retrofit Hereford, Texas, plant for Murphy Oil

News release posted Nov. 15, 2010

ICM Inc. has signed a contract with Hereford Renewable Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Murphy Oil USA, Inc. to retrofit an ethanol plant located near Hereford, Texas. Hereford Renewable Energy LLC acquired the uncompleted plant from the lenders of its former owner, Hereford Biofuels LP, which filed for bankruptcy.

ICM will make modifications to various parts of the facility, including addition of new equipment which will enable the plant to consistently achieve nameplate capacity. Hereford Renewable Energy's primary goal in retrofitting the plant prior to start-up is to capitalize on the improved operating efficiencies expected from the incorporation of ICM's industry-leading process technology. ICM's retrofit of the Hereford Renewable Energy, LLC ethanol plant is anticipated to be completed by the end of the first quarter 2011.

Dave Vander Griend, president and CEO of ICM said, "ICM is excited for the opportunity to continue its work with Murphy to help its Hereford ethanol plant overcome the challenges that prevented the prior owner from starting up the plant at completion of initial construction. Murphy has demonstrated its ability over the past 60 years to effectively expand its portfolio in response to growth opportunities. In the same way, ICM has been actively leveraging our experience as the designer and process engineering firm for more than 100 dry-mill ethanol plants in North America to develop additional business opportunities. In the past several years, ICM has gained a tremendous amount of experience re-engineering facilities with non-ICM technologies to alleviate production capacity and operating efficiency issues. Even in an uncertain economy, ICM continues to believe that challenges can be turned into opportunities if we're willing to work hard and apply ingenuity to achieve winning solutions."

SOURCE: ICM