Piedmont Biofuels Unveils Next Generation Biodiesel Plant

Piedmont Biofuels LLC, leaders in biofuels in North Carolina, will unveil their newest technology for renewable fuel production at a ribbon cutting event and lunch on Friday, July 16th from 11pm – 1pm. Speakers at the event will include the NC Biofuels Center’s Steven Burke and the candidate for North Carolina’s Senate seat.

The Enzymatic Biodiesel pilot plant was developed in partnership with the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, Novozymes, and the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation. This is the first pilot plant of its kind in the United States and uses cutting edge technology developed by Piedmont Biofuels and Novozymes to create high quality biodiesel from low quality waste grease. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative made from fats and oils which can be used in existing diesel engines without modification.

The current biodiesel production method forms soaps or salts in both the biodiesel and glycerin phases, producing low-grade co-products. “This new process of using enzymes to produce biodiesel will increase yields, decrease waste, and allows producer to use lower cost feedstocks,” says Greg Austic of Piedmont Biofuels. “This groundbreaking technology will create more valuable co-products, and will allow existing producers to double their biodiesel output.” Glycerin, a co-product resulting from the enzymatic process can be used to make a wide variety of products, including bioplastics and solvents.

Piedmont Biofuels operates North Carolina’s premier commercial biodiesel production plant since 2006 and continues to be a leader in alternative fuels through their cutting edge research and design departments.

Source : Piedmont Biofuels