SC - Agri-Tech Producers, LLC (ATP) Selects Kusters Zima

Agri-Tech Producers, LLC (ATP) is pleased to announce that it has selected Spartanburg, SC-based, Kusters Zima Corporation (KZC) to be its engineering/manufacturing partner for the production of innovative equipment

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Agri-Tech Producers, LLC (ATP) Selects Kusters Zima Corporation to Design and Manufacture ATPs Innovative Torrefaction Equipment

Caption: Gunter Noll, KZC'z Executive VP; Joe James, ATP's President; and Congressman Bob Inglis discuss announcement with a reporter, in Spartanburg

July 20, 2009, Columbia, South Carolina - Joseph J. James, President of Columbia, SC-based, Agri-Tech Producers, LLC (ATP) is pleased to announce that his firm has selected Spartanburg, SC-based, Kusters Zima Corporation (KZC) to be its engineering/manufacturing partner for the production of innovative equipment, which dramatically enhances the utilization of agricultural and forestry biomass as a renewable fuel. Several hundred jobs will be created in biomass-rich states, by companies who purchase and use such equipment, to process biomass into renewable fuels, in the state.

ATP recently secured an exclusive license to innovative torrefaction technology, developed by North Carolina State University (NCSU), which converts cellulosic biomass, like wood chips or agricultural material, into a cost-effective coal substitute; or into a feedstock, which makes stronger, more energy dense and water repellant energy pellets; and into a superior feedstock from which to make cellulosic ethanol, using gasification methods. And, KZC, a company created years ago, to make equipment for South Carolinas now diminished textile industry, will now be involved in making equipment for the nations, growing new Green Economy.

Mr. James says, Because of todays announcement, we are 9-12 months away from shipping commercial-scale torrefaction units to a select group of eagerly awaiting Priority
Customers, who need equipment early in 2010. ATP has had very strong interest from the forestry, pellet-making and electric utility sectors, from all over the world, as our
torrefaction process is believed to be the most cost-effective.

KZC has been designing and manufacturing custom machinery since the early 1970s. They take great pride in their ability to carry a project from concept to completion. Its
80,000 sq. foot facility provides more than adequate space for manufacturing machinery of varying sizes and shapes. KZC can engineer, design, manufacture, assemble and test
the machinery they supply to their customers.

KZCs President & CEO, Ken Kruse says, We are excited about being selected as Agri-Techs partner and the opportunity this brings both KZC and our community. Based
upon ATPs customer list, we could have as many as 50 new associates, at full capacity, working on ATP-related business.

Mr. James reports, For the last few months, we have been carefully evaluating proposals for engineering/manufacturing services, from three finalist companies, based in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The choice became clear, as KZC exhibited high
energy and interest and as ATP learned more about KZCs capabilities and outstanding record of producing complex equipment, which met or exceeded customer expectations.
Equally important, says James, was the financial and technical support we received from key South Carolina governmental and private sector agencies, such as the SC
Department of Agriculture, the SC Department of Commerce, the SC Energy Office, the SC EPSCoR IDEA Program and the SC Launch Program.

In addition to producing torrefaction equipment for sale, ATP intends to develop and operate several torrefaction-based processing plants, in the Southeast, across the US and
abroad, either independently or in partnership with key strategic partners. Also, ATP intends to continue its partnership with North Carolina State University to explore the creation of mobile torrefaction equipment, which it hopes to have ready for the market in early 2011.

For more information, see:
ATPs website: www.agri-techproducers.com

KZCs website: www.kuesterszima.com

Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.agri-techproducers.com

Category: Forestry>Biofuels

Region: South Carolina

Ad Running: 7/20/2009-7/20/2011

Ad Posted: 7/20/2009 12:13:21 PM

Ad Viewed: 621 times

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