Stoddard County biodiesel plant considering technology to turn waste into fuel

DEXTER, Mo. -- A new process for converting waste into synthetic diesel fuel is being given serious consideration by Global Fuels LLC of Dexter, which currently produces biodiesel from chicken fat. The new process would produce a high grade of synthetic diesel using waste products such as corn stalks, rice hulls, sawdust wood chips and other wood waste.

The Daily Statesman newspaper reported Jerry Bagby, owner of Global Fuels, said the the local plant is studying the feasibility of converting to the manufacture of the new "green" fuel. If Global Fuels moves forward on the conversion it would be the first full-scale plant in the world to use the new technology.

A meeting by 49 Green, a Jackson company that is the sole U.S. distributor for Denmark-based company Organic Fuel Technology, held Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus drew approximately 50 people.

"Denmark is the world leader in alternative fuel technology while the United States is the champion of the world in producing waste," said Henning Bollerslev, president of 49 Green, who moved to Jackson 14 years ago from Denmark.

Organic Fuel Technology CEO Erik Andersen came from Denmark to show how his test plant works. It has been operating in Denmark for more than a year.

"Household waste is full of energy," Andersen said. "Instead of sticking it in the ground or burning it, we can make very nice green oil out of it."

Using microwaves, Andersen's plant turns a variety of materials, including straw, wood chips, plastics, tires and household trash, into diesel fuel.

Bagby said he has been working with 49 Green for the past five months on the changes the Dexter plant would have to make to convert to producing the new fuel. The availability of waste products in the area make the new process attractive to Global Fuels, Bagby stated.

Bagby cited the lack of federal subsidies for traditional biodiesel plants as another reason to make the conversion. Those subsidies were instrumental to the company when the plant opened three years ago. He said there was still a chance that Congress would pass the subsidies, but has failed to do so at this time.

There are other reasons to make the conversion, Bagby said.

"Biodiesel has limitations and has to be blended with other fuel," said Global Fuels plant manager Jason Harris. "This green fuel can replace foreign oil without relying on subsidies. It should cost consumers the same price as other fuel, if not less."

Bagby said the new fuel is cleaner and a higher grade. The new fuel also could be used in aircraft and jet engines which would be a "huge advantage", Bagby stated.

Bagby also stated that John Deere is working on a combine that would harvest both the corn and the stalks and keep them separated. The new plant would be an asset to farmers and lumber mills, Bagby said. He noted that a source of waste products would be the pulp mill at Wycliffe, Ky.

The Southeast Missourian's Melissa Miller contributed to this report.