By Mark Edward Nero
Renewable Energy Group’s 100-million gallon per-year-capacity biorefinery at the Port of Grays Harbor is celebrating setting new production records. The facility produced 72.3 million gallons in 2016, a considerable increase in production over the previous record according to figures released by the port April 25.
Since acquiring the plant in August 2015, Renewable Energy Group has invested more than $5 million into the facility, according to the Port of Grays Harbor. One of the major investments being a new state of-the-art decanter, which helped improve the quality of glycerin, a co-product of the biodiesel making process.
The glycerin is then piped aboard vessels at Terminal 1, the port’s dedicated liquid bulk terminal, for export to China, where it is refined for other uses.
A new rail fall protection project was also recently completed, which added fall protection to all five of REG’s tracks to include all 64 rail loading and unloading locations.
“The increase in production and the increased vessel calls for glycerin export have helped put people to work in the plant and at our docks,” port Deputy Executive Director Leonard Barnes explained.
“We look forward to working with REG as they continue to weigh options for a potential expansion and further investment in Grays Harbor.”
REG owns and operates a total of 14 active biorefineries throughout North America and Europe.
