Lilbourn biodiesel plant reopens

LILBOURN, Mo. -- After sitting empty for almost three years, the biodiesel plant in Lilbourn is up and running under the new name of ME Bio Energy LLC.

New owners Mike Ellis and Ruby Mladenobic signed contracts at the Bank of New Madrid on the $7 million plant in mid-May. The plant opened shortly after, working to produce its first batch of biodiesel.

After producing the first batch, the plant shut down to send a sample to the Environmental Protection Agency for inspection before opening for full production.

Since reopening, about 14,000 gallons of fuel goes through the processing line daily, said Jerry McDowell, plant manager. Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification in which glycerin is separated from fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters, which is the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin, a byproduct usually sold for use in soaps and other products.

Production at ME Bio Energy went into full swing in early July, McDowell said.

"We're just starting to pick up with our deliveries," he said. "The plant is averaging two trucks a day delivering supplies, and two trucks a day picking up the product."

Each hour, samples of the product are tested in the lab, said Jay Hammock, ME Bio supervisor. "We pull the samples from different points on the line," he said.

Once the product, a 50/50 blend of animal fat and soybean oil, is ready, it's stored in the four 30,000-gallon storage tanks until a truck arrives to transport it to buyers across the region. Other tanks at the site hold raw materials and byproducts.

The plant was built as the Great River Soy Processing Plant. While in operation, it produced about 94,000 gallons of biodiesel before shutting down, McDowell said.

Although all of the equipment was already in place, it didn't mean ME Bio Energy could immediately begin production. "The plant had sat idle for almost three years, so there were difficulties," McDowell said.

McDowell said he sees an impact on the Lilbourn area from the plant's reopening.

"The community of Lilbourn has been very supportive of us since opening. In addition to the jobs and added traffic through the area, I think this place reopening helps the morale of the community and gives them hope," he said.

He admitted that in the beginning, he was unsure how much demand there would be for the product, based on conversations with other plant managers. However, there are several contracts already in place.

"We probably have more demand than we can produce," said McDowell. " A lot of people want biodiesel, and that's a good thing -- for ME Bio Energy and the community of Lilbourn"

A former homebuilder, McDowell said he, as well as the other four employees, are still learning the ropes.

"It seems like our learning curve is getting bigger and better," he said. "Our workers are doing a great job and are committed to making sure that ME Bio Energy produces only the highest quality fuel for our buyers."

There are also plans to grow. Inside the plant about half the space is unused. McDowell said the owners plan to purchase another processing line and double production within six months.

McDowell said he's looking to hire more employees in the very near future. Right now, the plant is open 24 hours a day Monday through Friday.

The company itself is also looking to expand. McDowell said the Lilbourn plant is the only one owned at this time by ME Bio Energy, the owners are considering purchasing other plants.

ME Bio Energy is at 813 County Road 641, which intersects State Highway U in Lilbourn.