A local biodiesel plant recently celebrated the production of its one millionth gallon of fuel.
American Ag Fuels, Defiance, celebrated the event by hosting a reception at the plant on Tuesday. "This milestone proves the power to create a safer, cleaner, brighter future is in our grasp," stated Steve Lankenau, president of American Ag Fuels.
Lankenau also recently announced that AAF is proceeding with a $5 million expansion to make its Defiance plant capable of producing over 7 million gallons of biodiesel per year, using the oil of over five million bushels of soybeans from roughly 100,000 acres of area farm fields annually. 
AAF's expansion is being managed by Industrial Power Systems of Toledo. "We are proud to have been chosen to build this additional capacity" said Kevin Gray, Industrial Power Systems president. "This expansion will provide important outlets for more soy products grown right here in northwest Ohio."

"We like to say we've got the Bio from Ohio, unless we're sending it to Michigan," Lankenau said. "Either way, it's more from the Midwest and less from the Middle East. One more way experts say we can improve our security and lessen our dependence on foreign oil."
American Ag Fuels made use of one of the former Zeller Corporation's plant locations on Greenler Street in Defiance. AAF has 10 full time and 4 part time employees, and has plans to double its payroll with the completion of its expansion in 2007.
With the onset of ultra low sulfur diesel, there's one more reason to look at biodiesel: lubricity. According to AAF chief operating officer Brent Damman, the sulfur in petroleum diesel used to provide lubrication can be harmful to people's health and the environment. "With no sulfur in it, biodiesel adds back natural properties of lubrication that the engine needs," he said.

Article courtesy of The Crescent News

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