Ever Cat Fuels ceases biodiesel production in Minnesota

Ever Cat Fuels, a small-scale commercial biodiesel producer located in Isanti, Minnesota, has closed its doors and ceased all biodiesel production activities.

“Poor market conditions, inconsistent government support, lack of reliable feedstock supply, and the decision by the U.S. EPA to include petroleum-produced renewable diesel in the same renewable identification number (RIN) category as biodiesel has led us to a point where we can no longer continue operations,” the company stated.

“These headwinds, combined with a lack of clarity regarding the clean fuels producers tax credit being introduced in 2025 by the U.S. Department of Treasury, made it impossible to continue operations,” Ever Cat Fuels stated.

The biodiesel plant was scaled at 3.3 million gallons per year.

Ever Cat Fuels used waste vegetable oil as feedstock to produce biodiesel, which it did utilizing the novel Mcgyan® process named after its three inventors (McNeff, Gyberg and Yan).  

The Mcgyan® process makes biodiesel in a fixed-bed flow-through reactor that uses a heterogeneous metal oxide-based catalyst.

The Isanti-based biodiesel plant, located north of Minneapolis, first opened its doors more than 15 years ago, in September 2009.

Minnesota was the first state in the nation to implement a biodiesel blend requirement, which began at 2 percent in 2005 and is now 20 percent April through September and 5 percent during the winter months.

Two other much larger biodiesel plants are located in the state: Chevron REG in Albert Lea and Minnesota Soybean Processors in Brewster.

“It is a sad day for the future of renewable biofuels in Minnesota and for small businesses trying to help make a positive difference in the environment to promote a green energy-based economy,” Ever Cat Fuels stated.