Biodiesel production is under way at Patriot BioFuels’ new Stuttgart facility. The Arkansas-based biodiesel company that announced its formation in November 2005 recently produced the company’s first gallon of biofuel.

The 31,000 square foot production facility has been renovated to house the large tanks and state-of-the-art machinery used to make biodiesel. Currently, Patriot BioFuels employs eight personnel and only a fraction of the space available in the facility is being used, but the company intends to expand over the next few years as biodiesel demand increases.

“During a week when oil prices hit record highs three days in a row, the benefits of biodiesel can’t be ignored,” said Tommy Foltz, president of Patriot BioFuels. “With oil hitting $72 a barrel, we are sending $350 million a day to the OPEC nations. Our country and our planet have reached an economic, environmental and energy-security crossroads. Our nation must begin producing renewable energy now and continue doing so well into the future.

In the months since its formation, Patriot BioFuels has experienced high demand for its biodiesel product. The company is one of a few biodiesel producers in the nation to use a waterless process. By not introducing water to the production, Patriot is greatly reducing the possibility of moisture getting into the fuel, which can hinder engine efficiency.

The biodiesel industry has grown dramatically in recent years, with major industries, such as agriculture and trucking, and municipalities looking for less expensive and cleaner ways to operate their vehicles. Heavy users of biodiesel include school buses, transit buses, freight companies and farmers. More than 50 biodiesel plants have opened across the country, but Patriot BioFuels is the first independent producer in Arkansas. Patriot BioFuels is a multi-feedstock operation that can produce biodiesel from soybean oil and rendered animal fat. Currently, fuel has only been produced using soybean oil.

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