CountryMark is celebrating a major expansion at their Mount Vernon refinery in Posey County to increase production of renewable diesel fuel from renewable feedstocks, such as soybean oil.
“We ended up having an investment in our refinery that’s over $100 million, which is probably one of the single biggest investments that we’ve had probably since the refinery has been built,” according to Matt Smorch, President and CEO of CountryMark.
He tells Hoosier Ag Today that the facility in Mount Vernon will be able to create co-processed renewable diesel using a combination of conventional diesel and soybean oil.
“It’s going to give us the capability to blend up to 10 percent of soybean oil and make it into a renewable diesel,” says Smorch. “That component will reduce our carbon footprint, it’s going to be better for the environment, and it’s going to be better for the farm community because it gives them an additional off-take for their soybean product.”
He says CountryMark has the potential of using up to 20 million gallons of soybean oil per year.
“So, if you think about it, we’re taking soybeans from Indiana farmers and we’re going to crush them make to oil. Then, we’ll refine that oil into renewable diesel, and then sell that renewable diesel back to the farmers that are growing the soybeans. So, it’s a high-quality product, it’s going to be great for their business, and it ends up generating a circular economy,” he says.
With CountryMark celebrating 106 years as a farmer-owned operative, Smorch adds that this investment helps keep the co-op well positioned for many years to come.
“It really is a new start for the company, where we can differentiate ourselves even further from our competitors in the marketplace, and also make that investment to make sure that the farmers who own us their assets are going to be here for many, many years,” says Smorch.
CountryMark broke ground last fall on its diesel expansion project in Mount Vernon. Expansion of the crude unit will take place in August to increase diesel fuel production, and co-processing of renewable diesel fuel will begin in September to validate co-processing technology.
For more information about CountryMark, visit CountryMark.com.
CLICK BELOW for Hoosier Ag Today’s radio news report from the CountryMark refinery and facility in Mount Vernon.
