Indiana's Biodiesel Capacity Grows by 88 Million Gallons
Louis Dreyfus Launches New Plant

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today applauded the opening of a biodiesel plant that will significantly enhance production capacity in the Midwest. The plant, owned by Louis Dreyfus, in Claypool, Ind., has an annual capacity of 88 million gallons.

“Louis Dreyfus is helping to meet what we hope will be America’s continued growing demand for renewable, cleaner-burning biodiesel,” said Larry Schafer, NBB political senior advisor. Schafer attended the grand opening event today. “It is adding valuable refining capacity to our nation’s fuel supply and replacing foreign oil with environmentally friendly, domestically produced fuels.”

Governor Mitch Daniels and Robert Louis-Dreyfus, owner of Louis Dreyfus Commodities, addressed the attendees. “Claypool is a strategic centerpiece for our company’s future,” said Louis-Dreyfus. “This plant affirms our century-old practice as a market innovator. We are grateful to be a partner with the state of Indiana and the local community in this new venture.”

The plant, one of the current largest in the U.S., opens at a time of unprecedented biodiesel plant launches. There are now 150 operating plants throughout the U.S. The average plant size is currently about 9.5 million gallons per year. Among plants under construction, average capacity will be about 19 million gallons per year. Domestic biodiesel production increased from 25 million gallons in 2004 to more than 250 million gallons in 2006, and is expected to exceed 300 million gallons in 2007.

Biodiesel production promotes economic development. A recent study showed that the industry will create almost 40,000 jobs and add $24 billion to the overall U.S. economy between now and 2015.

Louis Dreyfus officials also tout its soybean facilities integrated with its biodiesel production. When the facility is fully online, company officials say the plant will crush 50 million bushels of soybeans, more than 17 percent of all the soybeans grown in Indiana, and produce over 1 million tons of soybean meal to be used in feedstock. Louis Dreyfus has been operating for over 150 years, in processing and trading agricultural products. The company is headquartered in Wilton, Conn., with facilities throughout the nation.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from any vegetable oil or animal fat, and can be blended with diesel fuel, usually at a blend of 20 percent (B20) or lower. Biodiesel significantly reduces emissions, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter and life cycle carbon dioxide. It is one of the best greenhouse gas mitigation strategies available with today’s vehicle technology.

The NBB is the national not-for-profit trade association representing the biodiesel industry as the coordinating body for advocacy, research and development in the United States.

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