REG celebrates completion of upgrade project at its Germany-based biorefinery

US advanced biofuels producer Renewable Energy Group (REG) marked the completion of upgrades at its Ermden, Germany biorefinery with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with government and community members.

"This investment is another milestone in REG's European strategy to be a leader in delivering high quality biofuels," said Jean Scemama, VP at REG Energy Europe.  

Scemama added: "Within this strategy, Emden is positioned to perform well with deep water access to receive and deliver products by vessel and can now meet or exceed the highest quality standards required by our customers."

"This project is a result of teamwork across REG's teams in Europe and the US," added Brad Albin, VP of Manufacturing.  

Albin added: "Upgrading Emden's distillation capability enables us to more effectively convert lower cost feedstocks into higher quality, lower carbon fuel that improves our environment."

Bernd Bornemann, Mayor of Emden, joined other government leaders at the event in praising REG's investment in the community.  "Since the 90s', the city of Emden has engaged in renewable energies," Bornemann said. 

"We have created a climate protection concept, which is focused on CO2 reduction and a company like REG is the best that could have happened to us because it reduces CO2 with eco-friendly biodiesel for consumers."

REG acquired full ownership of the Emden biorefinery in January 2017 after its initial majority investment in the former Petrotec in December 2014.  Emden is one of the company's two German biorefineries, along with 13 biomass-based diesel refineries across the US that have a combined nameplate production capacity of 1.7 million metric tons or 502 million gallons annually.