Piedmont celebrates nation's first enzymatic biodiesel plant

N.C. Director of the Green Economy Larry Shirley joined U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, Piedmont Biofuels President Lyle Estill and a host of other government and corporate leaders on June 29 to cut the ribbon on an addition to Piedmont that is the first of its kind in the country.

Piedmont Biofuels opened the doors to the first enzymatic biodiesel plant -- the first facility capable of creating renewable fuel using enzymatic catalysis. The new technology expands the range of fats, oils and greases -- or feedstocks -- able to be produced into B100-grade biofuel.

Piedmont Biofuel, founded 10 years ago, was the first company in North Carolina to produce biodiesel.
Giving a tour of the new and existing plants on Lorax Lane, Estill said material such as virgin soybean oil, poultry fat, used cooking oil and used oil from makeup companies have been turned into fuel by Piedmont through the years.

• Piedmont celebrates nation's first enzymatic biodiesel plant (The Herald Sun - Durham, June 22)