HASTINGS, NEBRASKA, November 4, 2022 – Yesterday, Heartwell Renewables, a unique joint venture between The Love’s Family of Companies and Cargill broke ground on its new renewable diesel processing facility, the only entity of its kind, in Hastings, Nebraska. The new state-of-the-art facility is projected to have an annual production capacity of 80 million gallons of renewable diesel and will support the growing demand for green fuel products. The company anticipates the project to be completed in the summer of 2024 and create over 60 new jobs. The new Hastings facility is a first of its kind to both manufacture and distribute this fuel all the way to the retail pump.
“With record-high gas prices in recent months, there’s never been a better time to tout the benefits of biofuels. Renewable fuels save drivers money at the pump, help clean up the environment by reducing toxic emissions, and strengthen our number one industry—agriculture—by creating demand for the crops and livestock our farm families grow. Renewable diesel represents an additional opportunity to use Nebraska corn oils, soybean oils, and animal fats to produce clean fuels for our nation’s energy supply. Congratulations to Heartwell Renewables for breaking ground on your new facility here in Hastings!”
Nebraska Lt. Governor Mike Foley
“We’re thrilled to become a part of the Hastings community and expand Cargill’s footprint in Nebraska. We see strong potential in the growth and competitiveness of the renewable diesel industry and look forward to bringing the strengths of both our companies to bear to achieve a high-quality product with an efficient supply chain process.”
Hans Kabat, president of Cargill’s North America protein business
“The Love’s Family of Companies is always looking for new and innovative ways to better serve customers. We are excited to partner with Cargill in the creation of this new state-of-the-art renewable diesel refinery, as we continue to invest in renewable fuel offerings to provide our customers access to sustainable fueling alternatives.”
Spencer Haines, Chief Financial Officer, Love’s Family of Companies
HASTINGS, NEBRASKA, April 20, 2021 – The Love’s Family of Companies, Cargill and their affiliates have entered into a unique 50/50 joint venture to produce and market renewable diesel – a green fuel experiencing strong, rising demand. The joint venture is called Heartwell Renewables and will result in the construction of a new production plant and more than 50 jobs in Hastings, Nebraska. The plant will have the ability to produce approximately 80 million gallons annually of renewable diesel.
As part of the joint venture, Cargill will provide feedstock in the form of tallow, a rendered animal fat co-product following protein processing. Once the diesel is produced, Musket, the commodity trading and logistics arm of the Love’s Family of Companies, will transport and market the product in the United States. Heartwell Renewables will be the only entity of its kind to both produce and market renewable diesel all the way to the retail pump.
“Heartwell Renewables expands the commitment from the Love’s Family of Companies to reduce carbon emissions,” said JP Fjeld-Hansen, vice president of Musket and Trillium, two Houston-based members of the Love’s Family of Companies. “When considering the environmental benefits and performance enhancements of renewable diesel, the creation of Heartwell Renewables is a long-term win for not only the companies involved, but also for consumers and the environment.”
The production process makes renewable diesel chemically identical to petroleum diesel with significant improvements in environmental performance due to its drop in carbon intensity and emissions. Renewable diesel also has a faster combustion speed, which brings more power to an engine and has been shown to lead to lower vehicle maintenance.
“At Cargill, we believe agriculture can be part of the solution to some of the world’s toughest challenges,” said John Niemann, Cargill’s North American lead for protein ingredients and international. “Through the partnership with Love’s, both companies can leverage their unique expertise and resources to address the growing demand for biofuels while making an impact in the communities where we operate.”
Heartwell Renewables will employ at least 50 full-time positions in Hastings. Construction is scheduled to begin in the following weeks, and operations should start in the spring of 2023 (Updated May 2022: Completion date has been changed to summer 2024). Once the plant opens, it will be one of only a handful of renewable diesel plants in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Department.
“The Heartwell Renewables facility presents an exciting combination of agriculture and renewable energy that will create new jobs and continue to grow our state’s economy,” said Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. “Nebraska is the ideal location for this venture, leveraging our expertise in production agriculture and renewable fuels. I look forward to watching Cargill and Love’s grow this endeavor in Hastings.”
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About Cargill
Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 155 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
About the Love’s Family of Companies
The Love’s Family of Companies is headquartered in Oklahoma City and employs more than 30,000 people across the United States. Love’s Travel Stops is the nation’s leading travel stop network with more than 550 locations in 41 states. Love’s also includes two Houston-based companies: Musket Corporation, which specializes in commodity supply, trading and logistics across North America, and Trillium, a leading provider of renewable fuels and alternative fueling solutions, which offers expertise in compressed natural gas, hydrogen, electric vehicle charging, renewable natural gas, solar installation and on-site electricity generation. Gemini Motor Transport is a nationwide motor carrier comprised of 850 trucks hauling fuel and refined fuel products included diesel exhaust fluid, propane, ethanol, jet, biodiesel and specialty products. Love’s has over 400 truck service centers, which include Speedco and Love’s Truck Care locations. To learn more, visit loves.com.