West Central Soy Biodiesel Plant Now Commissioned and On-Line in Iowa

---

Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Farmer cooperative owned, West Central Coop (Ralston, Iowa) division West Central Soy has commissioned and brought on-line the largest biodiesel facility in the U.S.

The cooperative has been producing its brand of biodiesel SoyPower since 1996 and has seen the benefits of the fuel and decided to increase capacity. The plant will have the capability of producing 10 to 12 million gallons per year of the fuel from virgin soybean oil.

Construction of the plant was completed in August of 2002 and commissioning, start-up and biodiesel production at the facility began in December 2002.

The first of its kind $6 million facility is the largest and most technologically advanced plant in the country and is the 18th biodiesel plant to come on-line in the U.S.

Biodiesel (methyl esters) is a cleaner-burning diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. Like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in combustion-ignition engines. 20% biodiesel blends mixed with petroleum diesel fuels can be used in nearly all diesel equipment.

Biodiesel has been a long-time favorite in Europe with existing capacities of over 7 million gallons per month. That market is projected to triple over the next few years. Soon Americans will be given the chance to see the many benefits the fuel has to offer.

Jay Brunson, Synthetic Fuels Manager for Industrialinfo.com adds. "Today, over 20 million gallons per year of biodiesel in produced in the U.S. That number is expected to grow to over 60 million gallons per year by the year 2005."

West Central Coop is a full-service, farmer-owned cooperative located in west central Iowa. The corporate headquarters at Ralston, Iowa, acts as the hub for the companies trade territory that spans ten counties and extends 55 miles in each direction. West Central's operating divisions include grain, agronomy, feed, and soy processing.