ADM, Marathon open first soy processing plant for green diesel

ADM and Marathon Petroleum Corp. celebrated the opening of their joint venture soybean processing complex, Green Bison Soy Processing, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 14, 2023.

Located in Spiritwood, North Dakota, U,S.A., the plant is the first dedicated soybean processing complex, and is a major step towards meeting increased demand for renewable fuels, in this case renewable green diesel.

The facility will produce approximately 600 million pounds of refined soybean oil annually, enough feedstock for approximately 75 million gallons of renewable green diesel per year. The approximately USD350 million complex features state-of-the-art automation technology and has the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. Green Bison Soy Processing began receiving soybeans in September of 2023 and is in the commissioning and startup phase of processing soybeans for meal and oil.

The Green Bison facility’s inauguration underscores the collaborative efforts of ADM and Marathon Petroleum Corp. in driving the transition towards renewable fuels. By leveraging innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the facility is poised to play a crucial role in addressing the escalating demand for eco-friendly energy sources.

“Sustainability is one of the enduring trends driving changes in structural global demand, and this investment helps position ADM, as a leader in our industry, to deliver on that demand,” said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business. “The continued growth in demand for renewable green diesel presents a transformative opportunity for the oilseed industry, for producers, and for increasing the sustainability footprint of our transportation system, and we’re proud to join with Marathon Petroleum as leaders in that transformation. We’re excited for the start of production and look forward to working together to support sustainable solutions for the food and fuel industries.”

“As we continue challenging ourselves to lead in sustainable energy, our joint venture with ADM not only strengthens our presence in North Dakota, but also gives us the opportunity to collaborate further with a world-class partner as we continue investing in a sustainable, energy-diverse future,” said Dave Heppner, Marathon’s senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development. “Green Bison Soy Processing’s Spiritwood facility is an important milestone in our ability to source and optimise logistically advantaged feedstock for our growing renewable fuels business.”