FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Monte Shaw, Executive Director, 515-252-6249
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2007
Freedom Fuels, LLC Ships First Gallons of Biodiesel
MASON CITY, IA - The first gallons of biodiesel shipped out of Freedom Fuels, LLC on May 25, 2007 by Knutson Oil of Albert Lea, MN. It was an exciting day for the Freedom Fuels, LLC board members and staff. That first load represented many years of planning and efforts by the board of directors, staff and contractors.
“The Gold is flowing,” stated James Blair Vice Chairman of Freedom Fuels, LLC. The Biodiesel when produced can range from a crisp golden color to a darker amber color. “The plant has numerous sight glasses within the production facility and it was exciting to see the golden fuel flowing through the pipes,” stated Blair.
Freedom Fuels, LLC held its open house on March 31, 2007. It was attended by many investors, state and local officials, partners within the industry, sales and marketing partners and the board of directors. Ed Dannen, Chairman of Freedom Fuels, LLC said, “It was an exciting day and a huge milestone for all the effort that was put forth”.
From our initial ground breaking in April, 2006 we created our first batch of oil within 14 months. “From the very first batch, the biodiesel exceeded specifications for quality,” said Brian Stork of Core Ventures Renewable Fuels and the General Manager of the plant. “We are proud of our team and the efforts they have taken to ensure the investors a quality product from the first batch. Since the plant started, all of the biodiesel that has been produced has met specifications.”
The Freedom Fuels plant was built by NewMech Companies Inc. and was designed by SSOE and Crown Iron Works Company. The sight consists of a three story production facility with a continuous flow technology designed by Crown Iron Works; a pretreatment area for oils and fats where they are converted to a refined oil that can then be produced into biodiesel; a tank farm with storage capacity of 1,500,000 of both raw materials and produced biodiesel. Also on site is a load out and receiving area; administration building including the scale house plus a maintenance facility and a full lab facility that tests all incoming and outgoing products to ensure Freedom Fuels, LLC meets strict quality standards.
The future for biodiesel looks bright. Many are calling it a miracle fuel. Biodiesel has the highest energy yield of any transportation fuel and is good for our economy. “Biodiesel can be produced in our own country from renewable resources we already have produced, can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications, and is clean burning, nontoxic, and quickly biodegradable,” stated Leroy Schmitt, Operations Manager.
Freedom Fuels, LLC employs 23 people and produces approx 30,000,000 gallons of biodiesel annually. With the addition of the 30 million gallons, it will increase the number of gallons annually in the state of Iowa to well over 200 million gallons.
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