With that nameplate capacity, the SGP facility would be one of the largest renewable diesel plants in the world; the largest, currently, are the two Neste Oil NExBTL plants in Singapore and Rotterdam, each with a nameplate capacity of about 800,000 tonnes per year (about 240 million gallons).

The UOP technology would allow SG Preston to customize its biofuel offering by adjusting fuel characteristics to meet various operating environments (extreme cold or heat) of the end user without diluting energy content in the fuel blend. The process delivers a lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel from petroleum.

Other partners in the project include the Lawrence County Economic Development Council, which is investing 62 acres in land and other incentives. The Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth and JobsOhio were also instrumental in securing the investment and technology to play a role in the future of southern Ohio.

For SG Preston, this is an important milestone and part of a larger vision of partnering with leading, global refining technology partners and local communities to develop a portfolio of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel refineries targeting 1.2 billion gallons per year, or 20% of the federal RFS2 biomass-based mandate for biofuels. We see a blue sky opportunity to deliver customized, renewable fuel to government, the petroleum industry and other private users throughout the United States and we look forward to partnering with the people of southern Ohio to build new industries and new economic opportunity.

—R. Delbert LeTang, CEO of SG Preston

LeTang previously was a principal at Wellbridge Capital, a partner at Jean Finole, LLC (a management advisory firm), and started his career at Goldman Sachs.