In Louisiana, a fire broke out early Friday morning (eastern time) at the company’s Geismar biorefinery. Emergency crews quickly responded to contain the fire and it was declared completely extinguished at 4:20 a.m. All employees on site have been accounted for.
REG noted: “Four people-one REG employee and three contractors-were injured and are being treated at Baton Rouge General Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.”
In early April, another fire broke out at Geismar that sidelined the plant for several months. At the time, the Company said it would incorporate a one-month maintenance shutdown that was previously scheduled for this summer to bring filtration and other upgrades online during the restoration time period. Last summer, REG said it would invest $15 million to bring the renewable diesel plant in Geismar back online following its purchase from Syntroleum and Tyson Foods. Part of those costs were related to re-commissioning but funds will also be used to expand the 75 million gallon facility’s feedstock capacity beyond the current animal fats used. It is estimated that purchasing the plant, including buying Syntroleum, cost REG up to $110 million.
More on the story.
