Valero has 7 ex-VeraSun plants running at capacity, and in the black

In Washington, Reuters is reporting that Valero has all seven ethanol refineries purchased from bankrupt VeraSun Energy running at full capacity, and profitable. Valero spokesman Bill Day described the plants as “kind of a bright spot for us right now. They are generating cash flow.”

Valero said that, at acquisition, four plants were already in operation, but two needed to be restarted and the plant in Wellcome, Minnesota had not previously been in operation. Currently, ethanol producers are operating on a 25-35 cent “crush spread” the margin between the cost of corn feedstocks and the market price for ethanol.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Valero takes over VeraSun investment in advanced biofuels developer Qteros

In Massachusetts, Valero has assumed the investment in advanced biofuels developer Qteros originally owned by bankrupt ethanol producer VeraSun Energy. Qteros, which raise $25 million last year in its...

Valero to acquire seven VeraSun plants, development site in SD, NE, IA, MN and IN for $477 million; two more plants, $197 million more than initial stalking-horse bid

In South Dakota, Valero Energy will acquire seven plats from VeraSun Energy for $477 million, it was announced last night. VeraSun will receive $350 million for five refineries in South Dakota, Iowa a...

Darling, Valero plan 135 Mgy renewable diesel venture in Louisiana

In Louisiana, a report published earlier this week in the Digest, suggesting that Valero was prepared to enter the biodiesel business, was confirmed when Darling International and a Valero subsidiary ...

Valero to operate old VeraSun plants at full capacity depite ethanol economic woes

In New York, Valero Energy said that it will operate its seven recently purchased ethanol plants at full capacity despite difficult trading conditions. The company will invest $537 in the plant's' wor...

Valero expects new ethanol unit to break even in 2009

In Texas, Valero reported results for the first quarter of 2009, and said that it expects its ethanol business, bought from the VeraSun bankruptcy, to break even in 2009. The company reported net inco...

POET confirms interest in 7 VeraSun Energy plants readying for auction; 600 Mgy up for grabs

In South Dakota, POET confirmed its interest in participating in an upcoming auction of seven ethanol plants by VeraSun Energy. The seven plants, representing 600 Mgy in capacity, were acquired by Ver...