BioFuels Journal

Date Posted: August 22, 2007

by Myke Feinman, BioFuels Journal Editor

Claypool, IN --- A crowd of more than 2,000 people swarmed Claypool, IN, in what is billed as world’s largest integrated biodiesel plant for an open house ceremony, Tuesday, August, 21.

The $150 million construction project, the Louis Dreyfus Soybean Processing and Biofuel Plant, includes an 88-million gallon per year (MMGY) biodiesel plant which will also produce 1 million tons of soybean meal each year, utilizing 50 million bushels of soybeans, more than 17% of the soybeans grown in Indiana.

This is the first entry into the biodiesel field for the French company that has been trading in grains internationally for 150 years and has been operating in the United States for 98 years.

The plant, located in north central Indiana, is planning to start to crush soybeans in late September and begin biodiesel operations in early October.

Plant statistics:

> Produce more than 80 million pounds of glycerin as a by-product to be used in soaps and detergents.

> Each storage tank holds 10,000 acres of soybeans.

> A semi-load of soybeans can unload in four minutes and 45 seconds.

> There are three miles railroad track which will hold up to 225 rail cars.

> The foundation of the soybean prep building, the largest building in all of Claypool, has 250 tons of steel reinforcement (10 semi trailer loads) and more than 2,000 yards of concrete. The average household basement, by comparison, has 130 yards.

> In a single year, the Claypool plant will purchase $450 million worth of soybeans from Indiana and southern Michigan.

> The plant is providing more than 70 full-time jobs for the Claypool area.

The general manager of the plant is Melvin L. Spaulding, P.E.

For more information, call 574-566-2717.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Louis Dreyfus Commodities

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