Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) is a leading biorefining company focused on producing sustainable, value-added ingredients and renewable energy. The company operates across multiple segments, primarily producing ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, and renewable corn oil. GPRE also engages in grain handling, storage, and commodity marketing, providing comprehensive solutions in the renewable energy sector.
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Ethanol Production - Produces ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, and renewable corn oil, operating 10 ethanol plants across several states in the U.S..
- Sub-products:
- Ethanol - A renewable fuel produced from corn.
- Distillers Grains and Ultra-High Protein - Used as animal feed ingredients.
- Renewable Corn Oil - A low-carbon feedstock for biodiesel and renewable diesel.
- Sub-products:
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Agribusiness and Energy Services - Manages grain procurement, storage, and marketing, and engages in merchant trading of ethanol, distillers grains, renewable corn oil, and other commodities.
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Partnership (Fuel Storage and Transportation) - Provides fuel storage and transportation services, owning and operating ethanol storage tanks, terminals, and transportation assets.
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| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Todd A. Becker ExecutiveBoard | President and CEO | Board Member at Core Scientific Inc. | CEO since 2009, with 36 years of experience in commodity processing, risk management, and supply chain management. | View Report → |
Chris G. Osowski Executive | Executive Vice President – Operations and Technology | None | EVP since January 2022, with prior leadership roles at ADM and Tate & Lyle. | |
Grant D. Kadavy Executive | Executive Vice President – Commercial Operations | None | EVP since October 2022, with prior leadership roles at Darigold and Cargill. | |
James F. Herbert II Executive | Chief Human Resources Officer | None | CHRO since October 2022, with extensive HR leadership experience at Union Pacific Railroad and Capstone IT. | |
Leslie van der Meulen Executive | Executive Vice President – Product Marketing and Innovation | None | EVP since May 2021, responsible for Optimal Aquafeed and innovation in animal nutrition. | |
Michelle S. Mapes Executive | Chief Legal and Administration Officer | Board Member of National Feed & Grain Association; Member of CFTC's Agricultural Advisory Committee | Joined GPRE in 2009, currently oversees legal and administrative operations. | |
Philip B. Boggs Executive | Chief Financial Officer | None | CFO since November 2024, with over 15 years at GPRE in roles such as Treasurer and Head of Investor Relations. | |
Alain Treuer Board | Director | CEO of Tellac Reuert Partners; Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Local Ocean France; Chairman of Trivon AG | Director since 2008, co-founder of VBV LLC, with 36 years of entrepreneurial experience. | |
Brian D. Peterson Board | Director | CEO of Whiskey Creek Enterprises | Director since 2005, founder of Superior Ethanol LLC, and experienced in grain farming and cattle feedlot operations. | |
Ejnar A. Knudsen III Board | Director | CEO of AGR Partners; Board Member at Ridley Corporation Limited | Director since 2016, with significant expertise in agribusiness and finance. | |
Farha Aslam Board | Director | Managing Partner of Crescent House Capital; Board Member at Pilgrim’s Pride, Calavo Growers, AdvanSix, Farmers Fridge, Packers Sanitation Services, and Saffron Road | Director since 2021, with expertise in agriculture, food, and equity research. | |
Jim Anderson Board | Chairman of the Board | CEO of Moly-Cop | Chairman since 2023, with extensive experience in agribusiness and commodity markets. | |
Kimberly Wagner Board | Director | Founder of TBGD Partners; Board Member at Frontier Co-Op; Cornell University Board of Trustees | Director since 2020, with expertise in agribusiness, food/nutrition, and life sciences. | |
Martin Salinas Jr. Board | Director | Advisory Council Member at University of Texas in San Antonio; Audit Committee Member at NuStar Energy L.P. | Director since 2021, former CFO of Energy Transfer Partners, with extensive financial expertise. |
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Given that margins for your protein products are being compressed due to the influx of cheap competing products , how do you plan to sustain profitability in this segment, and what specific steps are you taking to differentiate your offerings in an increasingly competitive market?
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With the delays and challenges faced in scaling up your Clean Sugar Technology at Shenandoah , what assurances can you provide investors about the timeline and returns on this significant investment, and how will you mitigate risks in deploying this technology at additional facilities?
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Considering your increased capital expenditures, including the $9 million allocated to the clean sugar initiative and the $110 million needed for carbon capture equipment , how are you prioritizing these investments, and what financial metrics are you using to ensure they generate adequate returns given your current liquidity position ?
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Your ethanol margins have been under pressure due to market volatility and compression late in the quarter. In light of these uncertainties, are you contemplating adjustments to your production strategies, and is there a possibility that you might idle or reduce production at certain facilities if margins do not improve?
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With the decision not to proceed with the Blue Blade Energy catalyst and a shift away from building an alcohol-to-jet plant , how does this impact your long-term strategic goals in renewable fuels, and what alternative growth opportunities are you pursuing to compensate for this change in direction?
Research analysts who have asked questions during Green Plains earnings calls.
Matthew Blair
Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
5 questions for GPRE
Salvator Tiano
Bank of America
5 questions for GPRE
Andrew Strelzik
BMO Capital Markets
4 questions for GPRE
Craig Irwin
ROTH Capital Partners
4 questions for GPRE
Eric Stine
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC
4 questions for GPRE
Kristen Owen
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
4 questions for GPRE
Laurence Alexander
Jefferies
3 questions for GPRE
Pooran Sharma
Stephens Inc.
3 questions for GPRE
Saumya Jain
UBS
3 questions for GPRE
Jordan Levy
Truist Securities
2 questions for GPRE
Adam Shepherd
Stephens Inc.
1 question for GPRE
Ben Onofrio
BMO Capital Markets
1 question for GPRE
Chengxi Jiang
Jefferies
1 question for GPRE
David Driscoll
DD Research
1 question for GPRE
Henry Roberts
Truist Securities
1 question for GPRE
Kevin Estok
Jefferies
1 question for GPRE
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
Green Plains Partners LP | 2024 | Deal Value & Structure: The acquisition was completed via a merger agreement valued at $143.1 million (comprising $29.2 million in cash and $113.9 million in common stock exchanged) with the transaction executed through the acquisition of all outstanding publicly held units. Strategic Rationale & Assets: This move consolidated ownership by making Green Plains Partners LP an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Green Plains Inc., streamlining its capital structure as its units were subsequently delisted. |
Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC | 2022 | Deal Structure & Rationale: Green Plains Inc. acquired a majority interest in Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC to leverage mutual strengths and accelerate the production and installation of Ultra-High Protein systems across its facilities. Business Fit: The acquisition is aligned with Green Plains’ strategy to transform into a sustainable biorefinery platform through the development of value-added agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology systems, aiming for higher-value products with stable cash flows. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for GPRE.
- Green Plains Inc. completed the sale of its ethanol plant located in Rives, Tennessee, to POET Biorefining - Obion, LLC on September 25, 2025.
- The company received $170 million plus related working capital, totaling $183.8 million, from the transaction.
- Proceeds from the sale were used to retire $127.5 million of junior mezzanine notes due in 2026 and to supplement corporate liquidity.
- Pro forma financial statements indicate a reduction in interest expense due to the debt repayment, calculated using a weighted average interest rate of 11.75% on the outstanding debt for the periods ended December 31, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
- Green Plains Inc. completed the sale of its Rives, Tennessee ethanol plant to POET Biorefining – Obion, LLC for $190 million in cash, including approximately $20 million in working capital.
- This transaction is expected to eliminate junior mezzanine debt, improve liquidity, and provide financial flexibility for Green Plains.
- The company is advancing its low-carbon transition goals by implementing carbon capture and storage projects at three facilities later this year and has secured a deal to sell Clean Fuel Production Credits (45Z credits), which UBS estimates could add $40–50 million to annual EBITDA.
- Analysts have reacted positively, with Oppenheimer upgrading Green Plains' stock rating to “Outperform” and setting a $14 price target.
- Green Plains Inc. completed the sale of its ethanol plant in Rives, Tennessee, to POET Biorefining - Obion, LLC on September 25, 2025.
- The transaction generated $190 million in cash, which includes an estimated $20 million in working capital.
- The proceeds were utilized to retire the company’s junior mezzanine notes due in 2026 and to enhance corporate liquidity.
- Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) entered into an agreement with Freepoint Commodities LLC on September 16, 2025, to sell Clean Fuel Production Credits (45Z tax credits) generated in 2025.
- The agreement covers credits from three Nebraska facilities, with a term sheet signed to include three additional facilities for 2025.
- This deal is expected to generate between $40 and $50 million in 2025 45Z EBITDA net of discounts and operating expenses, with the first credits recorded in the third quarter.
- Green Plains expects to deliver up to $65 million worth of credits to Freepoint Commodities, with the purchase price payable in Q1 2026.
- Green Plains Inc. has appointed Chris Osowski as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately.
- Mr. Osowski previously served as the company's Executive Vice President, Operations and Technology since January 2022.
- Additionally, Trent Collins has been appointed Senior Vice President of Operations.
- Mr. Collins joined Green Plains as Vice President of Operational Excellence in April 2024.
- Green Plains Inc. appointed Chris Osowski as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, effective August 19, 2025.
- Mr. Osowski's compensation package includes an annual base salary of $650,000, a one-time special bonus of $50,000, an annual target bonus of 100% of his annual base salary, and equity awards with a combined grant date fair value of $1,400,000.
- Concurrently, Trent Collins was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, effective August 19, 2025, with an annual base salary of $315,600 and equity awards with a combined grant date fair value of $264,000.
- Green Plains reported a net loss attributable to Green Plains of $(72.2) million, or $(1.09) per diluted share, and Adjusted EBITDA of $16.4 million for the second quarter of 2025.
- The company's ethanol production reached 193.6 million gallons, with operating plants (excluding Fairmont) achieving 99% utilization during the quarter.
- Green Plains completed the sale of its 50% investment in GP Turnkey Tharaldson LLC for $25 million as of June 30, 2025, and extended the maturity of its $127.5 million Mezzanine note facility to September 15, 2026.
- The carbon capture infrastructure equipment has been delivered, and construction is progressing, keeping the project on track for start-up early in the fourth quarter of 2025.
- Financial Performance: Q1 2025 results showed a net loss of $72.9M ($1.14 per share) on $601.5M in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of $(24.2)M .
- Cost Reduction Strategy: Executing a zero‑based cost approach, the company achieved $30M in annualized savings with an additional $15M unlocked through strategic initiatives, targeting $50M total savings to reduce SG&A from $118M to $93M .
- Operational Excellence: All nine operating plants hit a record 100% utilization while production reached 195.3 million gallons of ethanol at full capacity .
- Carbon Platform Initiative: Construction on carbon capture compression infrastructure in Nebraska is underway, targeting a Q4 2025 start-up .
- Strategic Updates: The company also announced its exclusive selection of Eco-Energy, LLC as ethanol marketer along with a Board refresh introducing three new independent members .
- Green Plains Inc. announced that Eco-Energy LLC will serve as its exclusive ethanol marketing partner, responsible for the marketing and logistics of all ethanol produced across its biorefineries.
- The strategic five-year agreement is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency and expand market access for Green Plains’ low-carbon ethanol.