US-based Marathon Petroleum broke ground for North Dakota’s first dedicated soybean processing plant that will support about 75 million gallons of renewable diesel production a year.
With output due to start in 2023 at the Green Bison production facility in Spiritwood, North Dakota, the joint venture between ADM and Marathon Petroleum will produce about 600 million pounds of vegetable oil annually.
These will be supplied exclusively to Marathon Petroleum and the company will use this as a feedstock for renewable diesel.
“The Green Bison soy processing facility represents another step in Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to investing in a sustainable, energy-diverse future,” said Dave Heppner, Marathon Petroleum senior vice president of strategy and business development.
“The Green Bison soy processing facility will help us further optimize our renewable feedstock sourcing, and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with ADM and the state of North Dakota as we move forward with the development of this facility”.
Biofuel production is on the rise, with companies focusing on renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and other fuel for transportation. The US Department of Energy just announced $59 million in funding to support the acceleration of biofuel production.
The $350 million-complex will process around 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day and will employ about 75 people once its operational.
“The need for lower-carbon, more sustainable products is one of the fundamental trends underlying ADM’s strategy and purpose, and we are proud to continue to scale up our leadership in this critical area,” said Ken Campbell, ADM president of North America oils, biodiesel, and renewable chemicals.
“Renewable diesel is a potentially transformative opportunity for the oilseed industry, for farmers, and for the sustainability of our transportation system.”
“We are excited to celebrate our bright future, and we look forward to working with Marathon Petroleum and producers across North Dakota as we bring this state-of-the-art plant online in less than a year and a half.”
For more information visit www.marathonpetroleum.com
