Iowa's largest biodiesel plant to start |
|
|
|
Published
:
Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:10
|
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The state's largest biodiesel production plant will begin operation on Tuesday, the plant's owners said.Renewable Energy Group Inc. and East Fork Biodiesel LLC held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at the plant in Algona, hosting about 80 people including several state lawmakers and industry leaders, said REG spokeswoman Alicia Clancy.The plant, owned by East Fork Biodiesel, a company made up of 1,500 Iowa-based investors, has a production capacity of 60 million gallons a year. It employs 36 full-time workers, making biodiesel from soybean oil and other refined oils.The addition of the plant will boost Iowa's production capacity of biodiesel to 250 million gallons a year.'Renewable fuels are the future,' said Ken Clark, board chairman for East Fork Biodiesel. 'This facility in Algona will help strengthen Iowa's place as a national leader in the industry while producing clean burning, renewable biodiesel.'Ames-based Renewable Energy Group managed construction of the plant and will run the day-to-day operations, including purchasing raw materials and marketing the biodiesel, Clancy said.REG marketed 78 million gallons or 27 percent of all biodiesel sold nationally last year.In addition to the Algona plant, REG operates plants in Ralston, Newton, Wall Lake, Washington and Farley in Iowa and a plant in Albert Lea, Minn.REG plans additional 60 million gallon-per-year plants under construction in Emporia, Kan.; New Orleans, La.; and Alberta in Canada.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
|
|
|
Print this Story
UK's Ineos plans 70 mln eur biodiesel expansion project in France 