World Energy and Biox complete commissioning of Houston biodiesel facility

World Energy Biox Biofuels (WEBB), a joint venture between World Energy and Biox, has completed the commissioning of its 90 million gallon nameplate capacity biodiesel production facility in Texas.

The facility, located in Houston and operating two equal-sized production trains, started operating at full capacity in December 2016.

"The commissioning of the Houston facility significantly increases the product we produce, control, and distribute. Strategically located at one of the largest liquid fuels terminals in the US, the facility has immediate, cost-efficient logistical access to supply the nation's largest customers," said Alan Rickard, CEO at Biox.

"The timing of commissioning is ideal as it coincides with the increase to the US renewable volume obligation for biomass-based diesel for 2017. Given its scale and its access to the key Gulf Coast and East Coast markets, we believe Houston's production will drive our bottom-line results significantly higher based on the existing pricing fundamentals in the US biodiesel market," he added.

The plant uses crude degummed grade vegetable oils as its biodiesel feedstock. 

WEBB acquired the facility in June 2016 from Kinder Morgan, and it is located within the Kinder Morgan Liquids terminal.

The location provides WEBB's biodiesel facility with immediate access to a deep-water port, rail, truck, and pipeline providing distribution to all major US markets.