Renewable Energy begins biodiesel production at Texas plant

Renewable Energy Group has begun production at its biodiesel plant in New Boston, in northeast Texas. (REG)

Renewable Energy Group said this week that its biodiesel plant in northeast Texas has begun production.

The biorefinery, in New Boston, was acquired by Iowa-based Renewable Energy after it had been down for four years.

Major upgrades were done at the plant, which uses a variety of feedstocks and can produce 15 million gallons per year of biodiesel.

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This is the second Texas biorefinery that was acquired by Renewable Energy.

It also operates a biorefinery in Houston along with five other plants in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, giving the company more than 225 million gallons of annual production capacity.

“Biodiesel is America’s leading and growing advanced biofuel, which supports agriculture and food production here in the United States,” Daniel Oh, the company’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are proud to purchase raw materials like poultry fats and used cooking oils from this region, and use them to produce high quality, clean burning fuels to help power our transportation industry.”

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The company said it plans to market the biodiesel from the New Boston plant to petroleum distributors, truck stops and oil refiners across the region.

Martin Eagle Oil Co. of Denton, Texas received  the first commercial batch produced from the biorefinery.

Renewable Energy says it is the nation’s largest producer and marketer of biodiesel.

“Diesel engines can use a B20 biodiesel blend produced right here in New Boston, Texas by your neighbors,” Oh said. “Every gallon of fuel we produce and use at home makes our country more energy secure while revitalizing local communities by offering new jobs.”

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