REG to break ground on $13.2M upgrade Tuesday

Members of the media, community leaders, vendors and industry partners will gather Tuesday morning at REG Newton to break ground on a new $13.2 million upgrade to the plant.

Once the upgrade is completed, the REG facility, located at 3426 E. 28th St. N. in Newton, will have distillation capabilities. Currently, the 30 million gallon nameplate facility, built in 2006, produces biodiesel from high and low free fatty acid feedstocks.

REG Newton began operations in April of 2007. It currently employs 27 full-time personnel.

Many experts in the renewable fuels industry have noted distilled biodiesel is "the future of the industry."

The distillation process eliminates a majority of blending issues with petroleum-based diesel fuel and reduces sulfur content. It results in much lower impurities, greatly enhancing the quality of the biodiesel.

Gates will open for the event at 10 a.m. for registered participants. The groundbreaking ceremony will occur at 10:30 a.m., followed by walking tours beginning at 11 a.m. The event is not open to the general public.