KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, LLC announced on Oct. 5, the divestiture of its ownership in Guardian Energy Management and related Guardian entities which own the Guardian ethanol production facilities. KAAPA was one of the original founders of Guardian and was its largest owner.

'Guardian Energy has been an important part of KAAPA Ethanol's growth since the acquisition of the Janesville, Minnesota facility in 2009,' said Chuck Woodside, Chief Executive Officer of KAAPA Ethanol Holdings LLC. 'As we focus on our strategic initiatives which include continued growth and decarbonization, we felt the environment was right to monetize the Guardian investments and redeploy those assets in other areas that would directly benefit our Nebraska assets.'

'We wish our other Guardian owners continued success in their efforts,' said KAAPA Ethanol Holdings LLC Chairman Paul Kenney. 'KAAPA has been a part of all plant acquisitions made by Guardian Energy Management and it has been a unique model for growth of farmer-owned ethanol plants.'

'KAAPA Ethanol believes the opportunities in the ethanol industry are as strong today as when we started production 20 years ago in Minden,” said Woodside, “The environmental benefits of using ethanol have only become more evident and important as the industry has set substantial goals to decarbonize. The industry goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions will open up additional opportunities and markets for our products going forward.'

KAAPA Ethanol Holdings LLC is a farmer-owned company headquartered in Kearney. It has ethanol plant production facilities in Minden, Ravenna, and Aurora, along with a grain handling facility in Elm Creek. In 2023, KAAPA Ethanol Holdings is celebrating the 20th anniversary of production at its Minden facility. Terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.