Biofuel Energy re-positions itself as real estate company

June 11, 2014 | Meghan Sapp

In Colorado, Biofuel Energy (BIOF) announced it will acquire JBGL Builder Finance LLC and certain subsidiaries of JBGL Capital for $275 million, payable in cash and Company common stock. The cash portion of the purchase price will be funded from the proceeds of a $70 million rights offering to be conducted by the Company and approximately $150 million in debt financing provided to the Company by Greenlight.

Last November, Green Plains Renewable Energy announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire two ethanol plants of BioFuel Energy Corp. from an entity composed of its lender group. The ethanol plants are located in Wood River, NE and Fairmont, MN. BIOF had previously agreed to transfer the ethanol plants to the lender group entity pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Following the transfers, Green Plains will purchase the ethanol plants and certain related assets from the lender group entity. The two facilities have a combined annual production capacity of approximately 220 million gallons. The acquisition will increase Green Plains’ production capacity by 28% to over 1.0 billion gallons of ethanol, 2.9 million tons of distillers grains and 230 million pounds of corn oil per year.

Green Plains will purchase the ethanol plants for approximately $101 million, plus working capital at closing. Green Plains intends to fund the purchase with approximately $77 million in term debt and the balance in cash. The closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2013, is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon successful completion of the transaction, Green Plains will work to restart the Fairmont, MN plant, which the Company anticipates being back in production by the end of 2013.