Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. (BBD), a national collector and processor of used cooking oil (UCO), has announced its expansion into the Texas market, beginning with collection operations in Kilgore. The move marks a significant step in the company's strategy to extend its reach beyond its traditional Northeast base and build a national closed-loop supply chain for renewable energy producers.
The expansion follows the recent issuance of a Part 360 solid waste management permit by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for BBD's Tonawanda, New York facility. That permit provided the operational certainty needed for the company to aggressively push its borders outward, according to Frank V. Balon, President and Chief Legal Officer of Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. "Securing our long-term operating permit in Tonawanda gave us the green light to aggressively push our borders outward," Balon said. "While we are successfully shipping high-yield material from Kilgore back to our New York headquarters today, our vision is regional processing."
Currently, limited quantities of UCO collected in Texas are being transported to BBD's Tonawanda facility, which has a processing capacity of 300,000 gallons per week. This long-haul logistics framework is described as a temporary bridge to a much larger Southern infrastructure initiative. The company is already in the planning stages for new processing plants in Alabama and Georgia, which will be modeled after the Tonawanda facility.
The planned facilities in Alabama and Georgia will serve as high-capacity processing hubs for the rapidly expanding Southern collection routes. By replicating the proven infrastructure of the Tonawanda plant, Buffalo Biodiesel aims to localize its processing footprint. This future infrastructure will significantly reduce transportation mileage, lower carbon emissions associated with logistics, and provide a direct, high-volume supply of refined feedstock to the regional advanced biofuel market.
The implications of this expansion are substantial. For the renewable energy sector, it means a more reliable and sustainable supply of feedstock for advanced biofuels, which are critical to reducing carbon emissions in transportation. For the regions involved, it promises economic growth through job creation and infrastructure investment. Moreover, by localizing processing, Buffalo Biodiesel is addressing a key challenge in the biofuel industry: the carbon footprint of transporting raw materials. Shorter distances between collection points and processing facilities will not only cut emissions but also reduce costs, making renewable fuels more competitive.
Buffalo Biodiesel's entry into Texas and its strategic development across the Southeast reinforce its commitment to building an efficient, sustainable, and national closed-loop supply chain. As the company continues to expand, it is positioning itself as a key player in the circular economy, transforming waste streams into valuable renewable fuels and advanced materials. For more information, visit www.buffalobiodiesel.com.
