Continental Refining Company (CRC) will keep its soybean processing plant idled for the season following a July fire, while it assesses repair options. The company is proceeding with a significant expansion of its biodiesel production capacity, which is expected to double output by mid-November. Biodiesel and fuel terminal operations continue uninterrupted.
The company's decision to idle its soybean plant while expanding biodiesel production highlights a strategic shift towards renewable fuels, potentially increasing demand for soybean oil as a feedstock and impacting regional fuel availability.
Continental Refining Company (CRC) has decided to keep its soybean processing plant idle for the current season as it evaluates repair and restart possibilities following a fire on July 5. The incident caused significant damage to the soybean processing section of the company's 77-acre agricultural and petroleum industrial complex in Somerset, Kentucky. CRC is also exploring alternative options for the soybean operation and seeking a regional partner to manage its grain elevator.
Despite the disruption to its soybean processing, CRC's biodiesel production and fuel terminal operations have continued without interruption. The company began a capital expansion of its biodiesel production facility in August, which is slated for completion by November 15 and will double its existing capacity. This expansion is driven by continued double-digit growth in CRC's biodiesel business, supported by expanded product offerings and increasing market penetration. In September, CRC launched P51, a higher-blend biodiesel product that has shown encouraging early results. The company plans to continue manufacturing biodiesel from soybean oil and other vegetable oils, emphasizing support for American agriculture and domestically produced fuels.
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