Company Description
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE) is a biorefining company in the manufacturing sector, focused on renewable fuels and sustainable, high-impact ingredients. According to the company’s public statements, Green Plains uses agricultural, biological, and fermentation expertise to transform annually renewable crops into low-carbon energy and sustainable feedstocks. The company is described as a leader in low-carbon intensity (CI) biofuels production and positions its platform around the transition to a low-carbon economy and a low-carbon world.
Green Plains operates through two primary segments as outlined in its disclosures: an ethanol production segment and an agribusiness and energy services segment. The ethanol production segment includes the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil. The agribusiness and energy services segment includes grain handling and storage, as well as commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities. These activities place Green Plains within the "All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing" industry classification.
The company’s public descriptions emphasize its role in advancing the transition to a low-carbon world through biofuels and related ingredients. Green Plains highlights its use of annually renewable crops as feedstocks, and its focus on lowering the carbon intensity of its products. The firm states that it is actively deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions at multiple facilities, with specific reference to three Nebraska plants in Central City, Wood River and York. At these locations, biogenic carbon dioxide from ethanol production is captured and transported on the Trailblazer pipeline for permanent sequestration at a sequestration hub in southeast Wyoming, supporting the company’s low-carbon strategy.
Green Plains also reports that it participates in the U.S. 45Z clean fuel production tax credit program, which provides production tax credits based on the carbon intensity of eligible low-carbon fuels. The company has entered into a Tax Credit Purchase Agreement with a third party for the sale of 45Z production tax credits generated at its Nebraska facilities, and has disclosed monetization of a portion of these credits. This connection between carbon intensity, tax credits and biofuel production is a central element of Green Plains’ stated business model and financial strategy.
From a capital structure and financing perspective, Green Plains has reported activity in the convertible debt market. The company has entered into exchange and subscription transactions involving its Convertible Senior Notes, issuing 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 in exchange for, and in addition to, earlier 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. These notes are general senior, unsecured obligations of the company and are convertible into cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of both, subject to specified conditions and conversion terms. The company has also used a portion of the proceeds from these transactions to repurchase shares of its common stock.
Green Plains has disclosed portfolio optimization actions within its ethanol production footprint. A wholly owned subsidiary, Green Plains Obion LLC, entered into and completed an asset sale of an ethanol plant located in Rives, Tennessee, to POET Biorefining – Obion, LLC. The facility represented a portion of the company’s ethanol production capacity and related grain storage. Proceeds from the transaction were used to retire junior mezzanine notes and supplement corporate liquidity, which the company characterizes as consistent with its strategy to strengthen its balance sheet and focus on carbon reduction initiatives.
The company’s operations and financial performance are reported through periodic earnings releases and associated SEC filings. Green Plains provides segment-level data for ethanol production and agribusiness and energy services, including volumes of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil produced and sold, as well as consolidated ethanol crush margin. The company’s disclosures indicate that its ethanol production segment generates the majority of its revenue, and that it tracks utilization rates at its operating ethanol plants.
Corporate governance and leadership developments are also part of Green Plains’ public record. The company has announced appointments to senior leadership roles, including a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, and a General Counsel and Secretary. These appointments are described as supporting the company’s long-term strategic, financial and low-carbon growth objectives, with an emphasis on operational excellence, measurement-driven results and corporate governance.
Green Plains is incorporated in Iowa and lists its common stock on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GPRE. The company’s SEC filings identify its principal executive offices in Omaha, Nebraska. Through its combination of ethanol production, agribusiness and energy services, carbon capture initiatives and participation in low-carbon fuel incentive programs, Green Plains presents itself as a biorefining business aligned with the broader shift toward lower-carbon energy and sustainable feedstocks.
Business Segments
In its segment reporting, Green Plains identifies two operating segments:
- Ethanol production: production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil, as well as related operating activities.
- Agribusiness and energy services: grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities.
Low-Carbon and Carbon Capture Focus
Green Plains’ public communications consistently describe the company as a biorefining company advancing the transition to a low-carbon world. It emphasizes:
- Production of renewable fuels and sustainable, high-impact ingredients.
- Use of annually renewable crops as feedstocks.
- Deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) equipment at multiple facilities, including three Nebraska plants.
- Capture and permanent sequestration of biogenic CO2 via the Trailblazer pipeline to a sequestration hub in southeast Wyoming.
- Participation in the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit program, with agreements to sell and monetize production tax credits generated from low-carbon fuel production.
Capital Structure and Strategic Transactions
Green Plains’ SEC filings describe several notable financial and strategic transactions:
- Entry into and completion of exchange agreements to issue 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 in exchange for a portion of its 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027, along with related subscription agreements for additional 2030 Notes.
- Use of proceeds from the 2030 Notes issuance to repurchase shares of common stock from certain holders.
- Execution of a Tax Credit Purchase Agreement to sell production tax credits available under Section 45Z generated at its Nebraska ethanol facilities.
- Sale of an ethanol plant in Tennessee, with proceeds used to retire junior mezzanine notes and enhance liquidity.
Stock and Regulatory Profile
Green Plains Inc. is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and files current reports on Form 8-K, among other periodic reports. The company’s common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol GPRE. Its SEC filings identify it as an Iowa corporation with principal offices in Omaha, Nebraska, and a Commission File Number of 001-32924.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What does Green Plains Inc. do?
According to the company’s public descriptions, Green Plains Inc. is a biorefining company that produces renewable fuels and sustainable, high-impact ingredients. It uses agricultural, biological and fermentation expertise to transform annually renewable crops into low-carbon energy and sustainable feedstocks. - How does Green Plains generate revenue?
Green Plains reports two operating segments. The ethanol production segment generates revenue from the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil. The agribusiness and energy services segment generates revenue from grain handling and storage, as well as commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities. - What industry is Green Plains Inc. in?
Green Plains is classified in the "All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing" industry within the broader manufacturing sector. Its operations are focused on biorefining, renewable fuels and related agricultural and commodity activities. - What is Green Plains’ focus on low-carbon fuels?
The company describes itself as advancing the transition to a low-carbon world through the production of low-carbon intensity biofuels and sustainable ingredients. It emphasizes reducing the carbon intensity of its products and participates in the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit program, which is based on the carbon intensity of eligible fuels. - What is Green Plains’ involvement in carbon capture and storage (CCS)?
Green Plains reports that it is actively deploying carbon capture and storage solutions at multiple facilities, including three Nebraska plants in Central City, Wood River and York. Biogenic CO2 from these facilities is captured and transported on the Trailblazer pipeline for permanent sequestration at a sequestration hub in southeast Wyoming. - What products does Green Plains’ ethanol production segment include?
In its segment disclosures, Green Plains lists ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil as products within its ethanol production segment. The segment also includes storage and transportation related to these products. - What does the agribusiness and energy services segment do?
The agribusiness and energy services segment includes grain handling and storage, as well as commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities. - On which exchange does Green Plains trade and under what ticker?
Green Plains Inc.’s common stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GPRE, as stated in the company’s news releases and SEC filings. - Where is Green Plains headquartered?
SEC filings identify Green Plains Inc. as having its principal executive offices in Omaha, Nebraska, and as an Iowa corporation. - Has Green Plains undertaken any recent strategic or financing transactions?
Yes. The company has disclosed the sale of an ethanol plant in Tennessee, with proceeds used to retire junior mezzanine notes and enhance liquidity. It has also entered into exchange and subscription transactions for 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030, repurchased shares of common stock in connection with these transactions, and executed a Tax Credit Purchase Agreement related to 45Z production tax credits.
Stock Performance
Green Plains (GPRE) stock last traded at $15.50, down 5.51% from the previous close. Over the past 12 months, the stock has gained 194.7%. At a market capitalization of $1.2B, GPRE is classified as a small-cap stock with approximately 69.8M shares outstanding.
Latest News
Green Plains has 10 recent news articles. Of the recent coverage, 5 articles coincided with positive price movement and 5 with negative movement. Key topics include earnings, conferences. View all GPRE news →
SEC Filings
Green Plains has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 4 Form 4, 1 Form 144. The most recent filing was submitted on March 20, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all GPRE SEC filings →
Insider Radar
Insider buying activity at Green Plains over the past 90 days may reflect management confidence in the company's direction. Institutional investors and analysts often monitor insider purchases as a potential bullish indicator for the stock.
Financial Highlights
Green Plains generated $2.1B in revenue over the trailing twelve months, retaining a 6.6% gross margin, operating income reached -$67.2M (-3.2% operating margin), and net income was -$121.3M, reflecting a -5.8% net profit margin. Diluted earnings per share stood at $-1.80. The company generated $110.9M in operating cash flow. With a current ratio of 1.79, the balance sheet reflects a strong liquidity position.
Upcoming Events
Mezzanine note maturity
Convertible notes maturity
Green Plains has 2 upcoming scheduled events. The next event, "Mezzanine note maturity", is scheduled for May 1, 2026 (in 41 days). 2 of the upcoming events are financial in nature, such as earnings calls or quarterly results. Investors can track these dates to stay informed about potential catalysts that may affect the GPRE stock price.
Short Interest History
Short interest in Green Plains (GPRE) currently stands at 12.2 million shares, down 4.4% from the previous reporting period, representing 18.1% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 60.1%. This moderate level of short interest indicates notable bearish positioning. The 9.8 days to cover indicates moderate liquidity for short covering.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Green Plains (GPRE) currently stands at 9.8 days, down 16% from the previous period. This moderate days-to-cover ratio suggests reasonable liquidity for short covering, requiring about a week of average trading volume. The days to cover has increased 253.4% over the past year, indicating improving liquidity conditions. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 2.5 to 14.9 days.
GPRE Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Green Plains (GPRE) operates in the Chemicals industry within the broader Industrial Organic Chemicals sector and is listed on the NASDAQ.
Investors comparing GPRE often look at related companies in the same sector, including Advansix (ASIX), LSB Industries (LXU), ASP Isotopes (ASPI), Tronox Holdings Plc (TROX), and Westlake Chem Partners Lp (WLKP). Comparing financial metrics, valuation ratios, and stock performance across these peers can help investors evaluate GPRE's relative position within its industry.