Arkansas SoyEnergy to begin biodiesel production in DeWitt

Memphis Business Journal
February 29, 2008
By Trey Heath

Arkansas SoyEnergy Group LLC announced the grand opening of its first and only biodiesel production facility in the state that features an on-site crusher at its new location in DeWitt, Ark.

The facility will include the crusher, which is capable of taking harvested soybeans from local fields and refining them into fuel.

The biodiesel plant is the first facility in the state to use soybean oil as a feedstock.

The new facility also is the state's first plant to integrate the operations of crushing soybeans, extracting oil and processing the oil into fuel in one location.

The crushing facility began operating last year, but fuel production is scheduled to begin in April.

The facility will feature a 3.5 million gallon capacity, but can be expanded to 10 million gallons later.

"Developing new markets as well as sustainable forms of domestic energy is crucial to the success of the local economies in Arkansas," says Marion Berry, U.S. Representative, in a statement. "This facility offers a much needed market opportunity for local farmers, and it will boost the economy in southeast Arkansas."

As local farmers began to see the benefits of helping produce biodiesel, the rest of the local economy will grow, says Jon Hornbeck, a principal in the Arkansas SoyEnergy Group operation.

Arkansas SoyEnergy Group LLC

HQ: DeWitt, Ark.
Phone: (870) 946-1551
Web site: www.arkansassoyenergy.com

theath@bizjournals.com | 259-1727