Vertex Energy has ribbon cutting on new renewable diesel facility
Gov. Kay Ivey was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Vertex Energy’s first renewable diesel facility. Vertex Energy is one of the largest processors of used motor oil in the U.S. Gulf Coast. This $115 million expansion project will be Alabama’s first renewable diesel facility. Gov. Ivey said on Twitter, “I welcomed VertexEnergyInc’s Renewable Diesel Unit to Alabama today! This facility is a major milestone for our state, providing 200+ high-paying jobs, work for our farmers and low-carbon fuel products. Truly, Vertex’s Alabama-presence will be felt across the nation.” The project will create over 200 new jobs in Mobile County. The Governor was joined by Vertex Founder and President Ben Cowart, Refinery General Manager Wes Mock, Vertex Site Project Manager Daniel Hill, County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, and Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. Vertex Energy, Inc. is a leading specialty refiner and marketer of high-quality refined products. “By sourcing feedstock locally within our own state, Vertex fosters economic growth opportunities from farm-to-facility and offers low-carbon fuel products that contribute to a cleaner environment, not only here in our beautiful Alabama, but across the nations where these products are sold,” Ivey said. In 2022, Vertex acquired a conventional fuels refinery from Shell PLC The company immediately launched a $115 million conversion project. The primary aim of this project was to convert a standalone unit within the refinery to facilitate the production of renewable diesel, a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to petroleum diesel fuel. Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “Vertex is an energy transition company focused on the production and distribution of conventional as well as alternative fuels. Vertex’s large refinery in Mobile County positioned the company as a leading supplier of fuels in the Gulf Coast region. As one of the largest processors of used motor oil in the United States, Vertex is a champion of sustainability and cutting-edge alternative energy. The 200 jobs created as a result of their latest expansion is a win for Saraland, Mobile County, and our entire state.“ The newly converted renewable diesel unit is specifically designed to produce renewable diesel fuel, which can be seamlessly integrated as a direct replacement for traditional petroleum diesel. At present, soybean oil serves as the primary feedstock for the production process. However, the facility has been engineered to accommodate the use of other organic waste oils in the future. Soybeans are trading currently at $14.72 a bushel. Soybeans are a primary ingredient in livestock feeds as well as in human feedstuffs – much of it in soybean oil. The company said that the plant provides a new market for Alabama’s soybean farmers. The collaboration between Vertex and these suppliers is expected to help strengthen the local agricultural sector and help foster a stable transition to renewable energy sources. Cowart declared, “We’re not just cutting ribbons; we’re cutting emissions. We’re also carving a new path for this site, this city, and the Great State of Alabama. The opportunity to bring this kind of innovation to my hometown and the state of Alabama is incredibly meaningful. I believe this is just the beginning, as we progress on our commitment to a cleaner environment by creating a sustainable growth path for the energy transition.” Vertex worked closely with local engineering firms and other contractors. The project resulted in an estimated $4 million in local workforce spending and the support of 600 construction jobs, as the team achieved over 450,000 work hours without any OSHA reportable incidents. Vertex’s safety incentive program, which allows Vertex employees and contractors to allocate dollars to Make-A-Wish Alabama for every OSHA injury-free workday completed during the turnaround, reached its target of 12 wishes granted for a total of $120,000. Houston-based Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR), is an energy transition company focused on the production and distribution of conventional and alternative fuels. The refinery in Mobile has an operable refining capacity of 75,000 barrels per day and more than 3.2 million barrels of product storage, positioning it as a leading supplier of fuels in the region. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
