Farmer Owned

Ethanol Production

We care about the wellbeing of our clients, employees, and our communities.

About Us

Locally Grown
Fuel and Feed

We started as a group of farmer-owned ethanol businesses looking for ways to increase their investment in the ethanol industry.  Over the years, we have grown to acquire three production locations. Now, we're proud to say Guardian is one of the largest ethanol production groups in the country! Our sites are located across the Midwest and are managed by the Guardian Energy Management team.

Our sites are located in the Midwest, are managed by the Guardian Energy Management team, and are focused on:

production excellence

sharing best practices

optimizing the ethanol businesses

championing corn as an important energy source

Our Path

2009

Guardian Energy Janesville was the first plant purchased by the Guardian group in July 2009.  It is privately owned by Al-Corn Clean Fuels, Heartland Corn Products, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Cooperative (CVEC), and Golden Grain Energy.

2010

Guardian Energy Lima came in to the Guardian family through an alliance with Palladin Ethanol Acquisition, LLC in September 2010.  The shares of Palladin were later purchased and are now privately owned by Heartland Corn Products, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Cooperative (CVEC), Al-Corn Clean Fuels, and Golden Grain Energy.

2011

Guardian Energy Management was formed in October 2011 as a Management Company overseeing the Guardian Energy Production facilities. The Management team is fully responsible for all operations at the facilities.

2013

Guardian Energy Hankinson became a part of the Guardian family in November 2013.  It is privately owned by Heartland Corn Products, Lake Area Corn Processors, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Cooperative (CVEC), Al-Corn Clean Fuels, and Golden Grain Energy.

Ethanol Production

Guardian Energy produces ethanol through a dry corn milling process as illustrated in the flow chart. Locally grown corn is ground into flour through hammermills. Enzymes convert the starch into sugars in a process called liquefaction. Yeast is added to convert the sugar into ethanol. The mixture is heated in the distillation column to separate and collect the ethanol for distribution into the fuel supply. The corn oil is removed through centrifugation and sold into biodiesel or animal feed. The remaining protein and fiber is dried for animal feed.

Find Us

Our Locations

Guardian Energy Operates in four locations in the Midwest and performs in the top quartile of all ethanol plants in yields and efficiencies.

Prior Lake, Minnesota

Guardian Energy Management was formed in October 2011 as a Management Company the Guardian Energy Production facilities. The Management team is fully responsible for all operations at the facilities. Guardian Energy is also an investor in the Renewable Products Marketing Group (RPMG). RPMG is the sole marketer of all the Guardian Energy ethanol, DDGS, and corn oil.

Renewable Products Marketing Group
Shakopee, MN
Lima
Lima, OH
Guardian Energy Headquarters
Prior Lake, MN
Janesville
Janesville, MN
Hankinson
Hankinson, ND

Locations

Wherever You Are, We Aren't Far Away

North Dakota

Hankinson

Minnesota

Janesville

Ohio