Benefuel Inc, Chicago IL, will build an industrial-scale biodiesel refinery in Seymour IN that uses a solid, acid catalyst to convert low-grade fats and vegetable oils into biodiesel, according to company information.
The 10-million-gallon plant will incorporate a process that eliminates the need for water in the refining process and produces a market-ready glycerin by-product.
The project will be in partnership with Seymour Biofuels LLC. The catalyst in the process was developed in collaboration with chemical engineers from India’s National Chemical Laboratory and can turn vegetable oil or high free fatty acid animal fat into biodiesel without the need for costly pre-processing, the company said.
Production is expected to begin in late 2008.