Cargill launches $150M waste-based biodiesel project in Belgium

In Belgium, Cargill is constructing a waste-based biodiesel plant at its existing integrated oilseeds crush and Bioro biodiesel site in Ghent, Belgium. The $150 million project will have a biodiesel production capacity of 115,000 metric tons per year. Construction will commence in October 2020, with the plant due to open in June 2022. The new facility will create around 20 new direct jobs and an additional 60 indirect jobs in the Ghent community.

What’s happening now, and next: The plant will use very latest technology of BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH that enables the processing of all types of liquid waste oils and fats, including by-products from food processing, and waste from the food industry, and non-food crops grown on marginal land.

The backstory: With the new European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) signaling the need to shift toward more advanced biofuels coming from waste and residues, Cargill is looking to stay ahead of the trend.  Cargill has been helping its customers address the need for renewable and sustainable products for nearly six decades across more than a dozen industries from building materials, beauty and personal care to power generation and performance chemicals like foams, candle wax and lubricants. It also encourages responsible, sustainable agricultural practices in the production of the raw materials used for these bio-based solutions. In July, Cargill joined the global renowned Ellen MacArthur Foundation, standing alongside other companies, governments and academic institutions to promote and accelerate a circular economy, a vision and approach that focuses on reusing rather than discarding materials.

Why Big? Cargill’s been a long-term leader in biodiesel, but not so with waste-based fuels that are high-value in the US and must-haves for the EU’s RED II scheme. Here’s Cargill’s nicely addressed a weakness in their operations.