Innovation Fuels acquires Port of Milwaukee terminal

Web exclusive posted Jan. 14, 2009, at 11:15 a.m. CST

Biodiesel producer Innovation Fuels Inc., based in Albany, N.Y., has announced its purchase of a 310,000 barrel (43,000 metric ton) capacity terminal located on 10 acres at the Port of Milwaukee in Wisconsin. The company will use the terminal to sell and distribute biodiesel and other renewable fuels into and out of the Midwest.

Originally built in the 1950s to be the Milwaukee headquarters for Royal Dutch Shell PLC, the terminal includes a 20,000 square foot warehouse, executive offices, and a garage. The site, which includes infrastructure for loading trucks and rail cars, is served by the Union Pacific Corp. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. Class I railroads. The terminal also has international shipping access through the Port of Milwaukee via the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System and can receive river barge cargo via the Mississippi River. The facility also has an idled connection to West Shore Pipeline Co. (http://westshorepipeline.com/) pipeline, which could be used to bring petroleum diesel and gasoline to the terminal for blending with biodiesel and ethanol.

"This acquisition provides Innovation Fuels with direct, deep-water access to the lucrative Great Lakes and Northeast markets, as well as to international ports," said John Fox, chief executive officer for Innovation Fuels. "We can now easily transport finished product from Midwestern biofuels producers to virtually anywhere on the east coast of the United States as well as to our international customers."

"Being able to store renewable fuels at the Port of Milwaukee site and having direct access to a refined petroleum pipeline represents a unique opportunity for us," said Richard "Hardy" Sawall, Innovation Fuels' senior vice president of Midwest operations.

In March 2008, Innovation Fuels gained access to the Port of Milwaukee with the acquisition of North American Biodiesel, a company that was founded in 2006 for the purpose of developing a biodiesel production facility in Milwaukee. North American Biodiesel had leasehold at the Port of Milwaukee.

In the January issue of Biodiesel Magazine, Innovation Fuels is highlighted in the feature "Breathing Room."

The following stories provide additional information:

• "Innovation Fuels and Arpadis launch Innovation Fuels Europe"


• "Innovation Fuels to test pennycress feedstock"


• "Innovation Fuels ships biodiesel to the Netherlands"


• "Innovation Fuels secures working capital credit line from Citizens Bank"


• "Two producers join BQ-9000"


• "Innovation Fuels awarded for operational excellence"


• "Biodiesel association names vice president"