Alto Ingredients, Inc. Enters Letter of Intent with Vault to Advance Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative

PEKIN, Ill., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alto Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTO), a producer and distributor of renewable fuel and essential ingredients and the largest producer of specialty alcohols in the U.S., announced today that it has entered into an exclusive nonbinding letter of intent and is nearing the execution of definitive agreements to develop a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project with Vault 44.01 (Vault) at Alto’s Pekin campus in Pekin, IL.

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The letter of intent provides that Alto will install equipment to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from the ethanol production process at its Pekin campus and Vault will safely transport and permanently store the emissions deep underground in a secure geologic reservoir located in close proximity to the campus. The project is intended to substantially reduce CO2 emissions from the ethanol production process and provide direct value to the surrounding communities. Both Alto and Vault continue to engage with local stakeholders, landowners, and communities regarding the project.

The Pekin campus produces approximately 250 million gallons of specialty alcohols and renewable fuel per year and generates over 600,000 metric tons of CO2 as a by-product of the corn fermentation process. Alto Ingredients intends for the project to enable the Pekin campus to continue to contribute employment and economic opportunities for the local communities while substantially reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

“Partnering with Vault on this CCS project will strengthen our Pekin facilities and enhance shareholder value while employing the latest technologies in the production of clean, low carbon intensity and environmentally friendly bioethanol, consistent with Alto’s ongoing commitment to further lower our carbon impact, protect our environment, and operate in a way that serves both our shareholders and the communities in which we operate,” said Bryon McGregor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alto Ingredients, Inc.

“Nearing a key milestone in developing this CCS project, Vault looks forward to working with Alto and continuing to work with communities and landowners in the Pekin area to develop a safe and high-quality project. This project with Alto exemplifies our view that one of the best options for CCS is often a local solution,” said Scott Rennie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vault 44.01.

About Alto Ingredients, Inc.

Alto Ingredients, Inc. (ALTO) produces and distributes renewable fuel and essential ingredients and is the largest producer of specialty alcohols. The company is focused on products for five key markets: Health, Home & Beauty; Food & Beverage; Industry & Agriculture; Essential Ingredients; and Renewable Fuels. The company’s customers include major food and beverage companies and consumer products companies. For more information, please visit www.altoingredients.com.

About Vault 44.01

Vault, a portfolio company of Grey Rock Investment Partners, is a leading carbon capture and sequestration developer focused on the development, capitalization, and operation of carbon storage assets throughout North America. The company currently has six CCS projects under definitive agreements and under development in the U.S. accounting for nearly two million tons of CO2 to be permanently sequestered annually. For more information, visit www.vault4401.com.

About Grey Rock Investment Partners

Grey Rock Investment Partners is a private equity firm with more than $1.3 billion in asset value across its private equity fund platform. The firm invests across the energy value chain with private equity funds focusing on investments in natural resources, carbon capture, industrial electrification, and power optimization. For more information visit https://www.grey-rock.com/.