March 29, 2024

Loebsack tours REG Biorefinery upgrade

U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack toured the upgrade at the Newton Biorefinery at Renewable Energy Group Wednesday.

Loebsack saw first hand the facility that is still under construction and spoke with Daniel Oh, president and CEO of REG, Inc. and Phil Abels, plant manager, along with other leaders in the company about what the upgrade will do at the biodiesel plant.

“These upgrades will allow us to utilize a broader spectrum of lower-cost raw materials,” Brad Albin, REG vice president of manufacturing said. “It also advances our efforts to produce the highest quality product for our customers.”

The upgraded process, including distillation, removes impurities and leaves behind the purest form of the fuel. The final product far exceeds quality standards set by the biodiesel industry, while meeting the company’s more rigorous quality specifications according to the company.

“This investment shows our continuing confidence in biodiesel for the long term,” Oh said. “It furthers our efforts to enhance our lower-cost, multi-feedstock biodiesel business by continuing to broaden our customer base and provide more options for our customers to choose from.”

The improvement project will cost $13.2 million at the Newton refinery.

REG is based out of Ames with eight active refineries in four states. It is a leading North American biodiesel producer with a production capacity of 257 million gallons.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3221 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.