A newly-expanded soydiesel facility in Ralston will be the largest soydiesel plant in the country. The “West Central Soy” plant expansion is being dedicated today. Nile Ramsbottom, vice president of the soy and nutrition divisions, says it’s the most technologically-advanced facility of its kind. “West Central Soy” began processing what they call “SoyPOWER” biodiesel in 1996, and there’s a soybean processing plant on the site. They make the fuel by taking soy oil and combining it with methane. With the expansion, the plant will produce 12-MILLION gallons of soydiesel every year. Ramsbottom says the fuel can be used in any diesel engine — one of their customers uses it in a motor that runs his irrigation system.
