ADM and Marathon Petroleum Corp. celebrated the opening of their joint venture soybean processing complex, Green Bison Soy Processing, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 14.
The companies said in a statement that the Green Bison facility in Spiritwood is North Dakota's first dedicated soybean processing complex and is a major step toward meeting increased demand for renewable fuels, in this case renewable green diesel.
Green Bison Soy Processing will source and process local soybeans, with the resulting oil supplied exclusively to Marathon as a feedstock for renewable fuels. The facility will produce approximately 600 million pounds of refined soybean oil annually, enough feedstock for approximately 75 million gallons of renewable green diesel per year.
The $350 million complex features state-of-the-art automation technology and has the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. Green Bison Soy Processing began receiving soybeans in September 2023 and is in the commissioning and startup phase of processing soybeans for meal and oil.
“Sustainability is one of the enduring trends driving changes in structural global demand, and this investment helps position ADM, as a leader in our industry, to deliver on that demand,” said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business. “The continued growth in demand for renewable green diesel presents a transformative opportunity for the oilseed industry, for producers and for increasing the sustainability footprint of our transportation system.”
Dave Heppner, Marathon’s senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development, said their joint venture with ADM not only strengthens their presence in North Dakota, but also gives them the opportunity to continue investing in a sustainable, energy-diverse future.
“Green Bison Soy Processing’s Spiritwood facility is an important milestone in our ability to source and optimize logistically advantaged feedstock for our growing renewable fuels business," said Heppner.
Adding a continuous economic impact in various aspects, the companies said the new complex has supported hundreds of jobs in the region and currently employs approximately 75 people.
