Belgium – At its Ghent facility in the North Sea Port, Cargill has opened its first biodiesel plant, which converts waste oils and fats into renewable fuel.
The biodiesel will be used in shipping and freight, reducing carbon emissions. Cargill will invest $150 million in its existing oilseed and biodiesel plant in Ghent, paving the way for advanced biodiesel production. The new facility will be able to produce up to 115,000 tons per year, which is the equivalent of 10,000 trucks or 150,000 cars per year. At the Ghent plant, this will result in the creation of 20 new direct jobs and 60 new indirect jobs.
Promoting circular fuels
This is Cargill’s first waste-to-biofuel project, and it’s also one of the largest in Europe. The plant of the US food multinational converts all types of waste liquid oils and fats into advanced biodiesel. Used cooking oils, tallow, and residues from the production of edible oils are among them. Cargill contributes to the circular economy by repurposing products that were previously discarded or were only intended for low-value applications. The company hopes to achieve its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting circular fuels by doing so.
Cargill’s advanced biodiesel is a significant step forward in Europe’s response to this challenge. Even though transportation accounts for nearly a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, developing low-carbon renewable fuels for shipping and heavy freight has proven particularly difficult in the past.
