SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (March 7, 2017) – POET yesterday filed a lawsuit in US District Court of Sioux Falls, S.D. alleging that the Sioux Falls-based company Nelson Engineering has misappropriated POET’s trade secrets. The lawsuit is captioned “POET, LLC and POET Research, Inc. v. Nelson Engineering and Jerry Baker,” Case No. CIV 17-4029.

The trade secret in question is known at POET as “Delayed Dilution,” a technology that allows POET to achieve increased ethanol production from each fermenter in the process.

“POET has invested significant time and money into developing proprietary technology and processes that contribute to our long-standing success as an industry leader,” said POET President and COO Jeff Lautt. “We will do whatever necessary to protect our intellectual property from unauthorized use by others.”

About POET

POET, the world’s largest biofuel producer, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 30-year-old company has a network of 27 production facilities. POET, through its joint venture with DSM, also operates a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.