Building the Future of Ethanol and Renewable Energy with Industrial Expertise 

At The Weitz Company, we have been building for more than 170 years, but what really sets us apart isn’t just our history, it’s the trust our clients have in us. With a team of over 1,600 people nationwide and the capability to take on complex industrial projects in the country, we’re proud that 75% of our Industrial projects come from repeat or referral clients. From fertilizers and methanol to biodiesel and biofuels, our Industrial group has helped shape facilities that power communities and drive a more sustainable future, advancing the future of ethanol and renewable energy with Industrial expertise. 

Iowa Fertilizer Company project in Wever, IA:  

At the Iowa Fertilizer Company project in Wever, Iowa, our team successfully constructed one of the largest nitrogen-based fertilizer plants. When completed in 2017, this was one of the first natural gas-based fertilizer plants built in the U.S. in nearly three decades. This design-build facility included ammonia, urea, UAN, and DEF production with an annual capacity of 7 million tons, and a 9 million gallons per day water treatment plant that exceeded municipal records.  

Natgasoline Methanol Production Facility in Beaumont, TX: 

In Beaumont, Texas, we built the Natgasoline Methanol Production Facility, the largest methanol production complex in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of 1.75 million metric tons annually. Weitz installed more than 3,600 tons of steel, 7,500 cubic yards of concrete, and 110 pieces of equipment, including vessels weighing over 1.5 million pounds, while managing a workforce of 575 employees.  

Central Minnesota Renewables in Little Falls, MN: 

For Central Minnesota Renewables in Little Falls, Minnesota, Weitz repurposed an existing corn-based ethanol plant into the first commercial-scale facility in the U.S. producing n-Butanol. With a capacity of 32,000 metric tons per year of Acetone, Butanol, and Ethanol (ABE), this 18-acre retrofit showcased out ability to transform operating facilities into next-generation chemical processing plants that meet evolving market demands.  

Western Dubuque Biodiesel facility in Farley, IA: 

In Farley, Iowa, Weitz delivered the Western Dubuque Biodiesel facility, a design-build project producing 30 million gallons of biodiesel annually from soybean oil. Completed in just 12 months, the plant features automated processing, rail and truck logistics, 2 million gallons of storage, and advanced safety systems. Remarkably, the facility achieved 100% nameplate capacity in less than one week after startup. 

Genencor International in Cedar Rapids, IA: 

Finally, at Genencor International in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Weitz has been a trusted partner since 1988, beginning as a subcontractor and growing into the contractor of choice for multiple expansions, renovations, and ongoing maintenance. Our long-term relationship with Genencor reflects our ability to deliver consistent value, technical expertise, and collaborative solutions for biofuel facilities over decades.  

ADM Corn Processing Plant in Cedar Rapids, IA: 

The Weitz Company has partnered with ADM at their Cedar Rapids corn processing plant for more than 50 years, completing over 75 design-build projects together. This long-standing relationship includes early collaboration on ADM’s alcohol production facility in the 1980s, helping support the company’s expansion into ethanol-related processing. With work totaling more than $50 million, this partnership highlights Weitz’s deep experience in corn-to-ethanol infrastructure and complex processing environments. 

Power For Today & Tomorrow 

From fertilizer plants to biodiesel and biofuel facilities, The Weitz Company Industrial group continues to set the standard for complex, large-scale energy projects. Our work in the ethanol and renewables space demonstrates not only technical excellence but it also reflects the relationships and trust we have built along the way. Each project highlights our ability to take on complex opportunities, deliver reliable results, and support the industries that keep our world moving forward. As renewable energy continues to grow, The Weitz Company is proud to be a partner in building the infrastructure that powers progress and contributes to a more sustainable future.