Green River Biodiesel closes Alabama HQ

In the US, an idled biodiesel production facility in Moundville, Alabama, has become the most recent in a long line of soya-based biodiesel plants to close down in the region.

In 2008, five biodiesel plants of this kind were operational in Alabama, however only one large-scale plant remains today – Creaola. Green River Biodiesel acquired the facility in 2008 but by 2009 most of its workers were made redundant.

The facility, located on a 54-acre site, was the former headquarters of Green River Biodiesel. However, with the rising cost of soyabeans and the growing popularity of cheaper feedstocks such as animal tallow and used vegetable oil, production became too expensive. The facility is due to be auctioned in October.

The auction will take place on 3 October at the Sheraton Hotel, Birmingham. Bidders must submit a $25,000 cashier's check prior to bidding, and the lowest bid for the facility is $250,000.

The plant has already been installed with the relevant machinery, equipment and piping necessary to begin biodiesel operations again. The plant currently has the capacity to produce 37 million gallons a year of fuel, but this could be increased to a minimum of 100 million gallons.

However the building is also suitable for other industrial and commercial uses, due to its onsite rail access and closeness to the Interstate 20/59. The facility also comes with warehouse, storage and office space, totalling more than 100,000 square feet.

'With 54 acres and numerous versatile outbuildings, a new owner could come in and redevelop the property for their specific use or could start up new biodiesel production quite easily,' says Basil Karampelas, CFO of Green River Biodiesel.