Biofuel factory for the production of ethanol by the microbiological fermentation of plant material such as corn fibre. Fuel obtained from biological sources like this, is termed biofuel. The resource is renewable, unlike fossil fuels. Ethanol added to petrol improves vehicle performance and reduces air pollution. This pilot factory, run by New Energy Company, South Bend, Indiana, USA, uses technology developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to produce ethanol from fibrous corn material, and not just the corn kernel. The factory began operating in 1993.