- Cargill is investing $150 million in a biodiesel plant in Ghent, Belgium.
- The plant will have a production capacity of 115,000 metric tons per year.
- Construction starts in October 2020 and the plant will open in June 2022.
- The facility will create 20 direct and 60 indirect jobs.
Investment and Capacity
Cargill is investing $150 million in a new biodiesel plant at its existing site in Ghent, Belgium. The plant will have a production capacity of 115,000 metric tons per year, aiming to meet the growing demand for renewable energy.
Advanced Feedstock Processing
The facility will be the first in Europe capable of processing a wide range of feedstocks, including acid oils from vegetable oil refining, liquid residues from industrial processes, and fat recovered from sewage sludge. This is in response to the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which emphasizes the need for advanced biofuels derived from waste and residues.
Technology and Sustainability
The plant will utilize cutting-edge technology from BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH, enabling the processing of various liquid waste oils and fats, including by-products from food processing and non-food crops grown on marginal land. This approach supports a circular economy by recycling materials that would otherwise be discarded or used for low-value applications.
Timeline and Job Creation
Construction of the plant will commence in October 2020, with an expected opening date in June 2022. The new facility will create approximately 20 direct jobs and an additional 60 indirect jobs in the Ghent community.
