CLAYPOOL — A ribbon cutting of the official inauguration of the new Louis Dreyfus Company glycerin refinery was held Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, at the plant. Sean Doyle, LDC manager Oilseeds North America, stated in his opening remarks it is the “company’s first food grade glycerin refinery in North America and the second for the group in the world.” This second largest refinery in the U.S. producing USP-grade Kosher refined glycerin has a capacity of 80 million pounds per year.

Shown at the ribbon cutting are: George Robertson, KEDCO; Beth Bechdol, president Agribusiness Council of Indiana; Joey Francis, LDC Claypool biodiesel superintendent; Brian Spaulding, district director/general council for Congresswoman Jackie Walorski; Steve Clements, LDC Claypool operations manager; Todd Trefren, LDC Kansas City grain & oilseed processing industrial manager; Jeremy Mullins, LDC Claypool commercial manager; Bruce Chapin, LDC Kansas City regional head of industry North America; Mark Bonifield, LDC Claypool quality manager; Len Federico, LDC Wilton, Conn., commercial manager U.S. oils & biodiesel; John Meyer, LDC Claypool senior trader; Erin Maxwell, LDC Wilton, Conn., glycerin merchant; Sean Doyle, LDC Wilton, Conn., manager oilseeds North America; Aleigh Myers, LDC Claypool glycerin merchant; Dave Selig, LDC Claypool plant manager; and Rob Parker, president and chief executive officer, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

Doyle explained refined glycerin, which is in everything. “While we been making crude glycerin for the last eight years. .. now we are excited to interact with the end user.” Doyle stated looking to the future “we have a long history of processing commodities and processing food commodities. Our word is our bond. A core principle in the business … delivering the right product at the right time.”

“The plant is one of the largest crushed and biodiesal facilities in the country,” he stated further. “By adding refined glycerin to the product stream it makes us an even stronger partner to local soybean growers.”

Beth Bechdol, president Agribusiness Council of Indiana, recalled the first big grand opening when the facility was constructed in August 2007. “What that showed at the time, with Indiana great’s climate to for support business …a lot of strategy that went into why Louis Dreyfus is right here. It was transportation and infrastructure. It was the community of Claypool and the surrounding farm aspect … It’s just continued to improve, for a company like Louis Dreyfus … more companies want to come and do things like this… Agriculture keeps finding opportunities to do more, find new markets, to solve the next set of big problems … Dreyfus is right in the middle of all of that with this new development.”

Brian Spaulding, former LDC employee, now district director/general counsel for Congresswoman Jackie Walorski delivers a message.

Due to legislative responsibilities, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski was unable to attend the event. Speaking on her behalf, Brian Spaulding, district director and general counsel for Walorski, read a statement prior to the closing remarks by Bruce Chapin, LDC regional head of industry North America.

“Louis Dreyfus is a global leader in the agricultural industry and I’m grateful for its continued investment in Kosciusko County,” read Spaulding. “With this new plant, where high quality refined glycerin will be produced for use in countless industries Indiana’s role in the national and global economy will continue to grow. The growth of Louis Drefus-Claypool is an opportunity for more good jobs for Hoosiers and greater prospects for our community … role in keeping our local economy strong. I want to congratulate the employees and community of Claypool for their hard work and dedication that inspired the addition of the glycerin refinery to the soybean and biodiesel plant.”

Brief in his remarks, Chapin thanked those locally on the team and their efforts to make it a success. “What we have here would not be possible. Many of us here today have been a part of this dream since inception,” he said. “What we’re celebrating today is the continuation of that. The continuation of that dream, that vision, that desire to foster the growth here at the plant, foster soybean production here in northern Indiana, and grow with the community and provide more jobs in the community.”

Following the ceremony, small group tours of the glycerin refinery were provided. During the tour it was noted the six storage tanks hold enough for 10 to 12 days of production. Each tank holds 55,000 gallons and the plant produces 220,000 pounds a day of refined glycerin or 20,000 gallons a day.

Parties interested in learning more about the glycerin refinery can contact Louis Dreyfus Company at (203) 761-2327.