NFR BioEnergy to invest $312 million to install biorefineries at 10 sugar hubs

September 16, 2014 |

In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Frank Randazzo, chief operating officer of NFR BioEnergy, have announced the company will make a $312 million capital investment to install biorefineries at more than 10 sugar refining hubs in south Louisiana, subject to completing lease and biomass agreements with sugar mills. NFR BioEnergy will convert sugar cane waste, known as bagasse, into hardened energy pellets for use as fuel at global power plants. NFR BioEnergy has begun development of the first biorefinery in White Castle, Louisiana, where it is collocating the facility with the Cora Texas Sugar Mill.

Pending the sugar mill agreements, NFR BioEnergy will construct a series of biorefineries across South Louisiana’s sugar cane-growing region and create 450 new direct jobs, with an average salary of $54,000 a year, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 1,903 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 2,300 new jobs in the state. The conversion of sugar cane biomass into energy pellets through a torrefaction process has been aided by research at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Energy Institute.

 

Category: Fuels

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