Erie, Pennsylvania-based biodiesel producer Hero BX announced a new business enterprise Jan. 12, the Hero BX-branded Bioheat program. Bioheat is a blend of biodiesel and heating oil in varying concentrations. Hero BX’s new program offers heating oil retailers the opportunity to carry the Hero BX brand and supporting technical and marketing benefits in exchange for Bioheat supply contracts. Hero BX produces 60 MMgy of biodiesel from its plants in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Moundville, Alabama. The company signed its first Bioheat-branded dealer this week—Dover, New Hampshire-headquartered D.F. Richard Energy. 

In conjunction with the new branded dealer program, Hero BX has leased a 5,000-barrel storage facility in North Hampton, New Hampshire, to help jumpstart the program. Hero BX invested in the infrastructure that allows for biodiesel and heating oil rack blends from B2 to B80, allowing branded retail dealers an automated solution for Bioheat supply and distribution. The company is seeking arrangements with similar Northeast U.S. terminals to support the program’s growth. 

“For over 80 years, D.F. Richard Energy has been introducing new and emerging energy products to our customers,” said D.F. Richard CEO Rick Card. “It makes sense to follow company tradition by offering the latest in home heating oil—Bioheat. We are excited to be the very first authorized distributor for Hero BX. We share their passion for delivering quality and love that their products are renewable, environmentally friendly, and made in America.”

Under the program, D.F. Richard is delivering Bioheat to residents of Rockingham, Strafford and York counties in New Hampshire.

“Hero BX is thrilled to bring Bioheat to residents and businesses in New Hampshire and Southern Maine,” said Tim Keaveney, vice president of sales for Hero BX, “and to do it alongside community-leading business partner D.F. Richard Energy is a recipe for success. As a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, resident, I’m happy knowing that my family and the community can keep warm with environmentally friendly, American made Bioheat. Our North Hampton facility is the first of its kind in New Hampshire. It will enable fuel oil dealers to procure biodiesel efficiently, enabling citizens of the region to use clean renewable fuel to heat their homes and fuel their diesel-powered vehicles.  This facility can make customized Bioheat and biodiesel blends from B2 to B80. The North Hampton facility makes procuring biodiesel for the fuel oil distributor as easy as driving in, carding on, and choosing to bottom or top load their truck. It is the first like it in New Hampshire. Our goal is to begin with New Hampshire and bring this business model to fuel oil distributors nationwide.”