Cargill Commits $150M to Open New Biofuels PlantCargill Commits $150M to Open New Biofuels Plant

American agribusiness Cargill is launching a $150 million project to open a new multi waste- and residues-based biodiesel plant at its integrated oilseeds crush and Bioro biodiesel site in Ghent, Belgium, a recent company release announced.

“The new Cargill facility in Ghent will be the first plant in Europe capable of processing all kinds of feedstocks, including acid oils from vegetable oil refining, liquid residues from industrial processes, and even the fat recovered from sewage sludge from local municipalities,” Roger Janson, president of Cargill’s agricultural supply chain in the EMEA region, said in a statement.

BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH will supply technology for processing various types of waste oils and fats. Once operational, the site will have a biodiesel production capacity of 115,000 mt/yr.

“Cargill’s circular economy approach brings added sustainability benefits to not only our customers, but also to the end customer, as the plant will utilize recycled products that would have previously been disposed of or used for low-value applications,” said Cargill Biodiesel Managing Director Alexis Cazin in the release. “In certain sectors such as transportation, developing high-blend solutions for trucks or significantly reduced carbon marine fuel for shipping will provide concrete, cost effective solutions bringing major benefits to citizens, communities, and the environment.”

Construction on the new biofuels plant starts this month. The plant is expected to open in June 2022.