The Andersons Inc., an agribusiness based in Monclova Township, will partner with ICM Inc. to build a 70 million-gallon-per-year bio-refinery next to ICM's headquarters in Colwich, Kan.

The plant will be part of a joint venture known as Element LLC, the companies announced Tuesday. The plant is expected to produce ethanol yields in excess of 3.1 gallons per bushel and is designed to be the most efficient dry mill ethanol plant in the United States.

The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of next year.

The Andersons already has ownership interest in a handful of ethanol plants, mostly in Ohio and Michigan.

First Published March 7, 2018, 12:43 a.m.