Tulsa-based biofuels developer Syntroleum Corp. announced
Tuesday that its Dynamic Fuels joint venture with Tyson
Foods Inc. has signed on Norfolk Southern Corp. as a customer
for renewable diesel. Norfolk Southern Railway has been using
Dynamic Fuels' renewable diesel at its railyard in Meridian,
Miss., since early January, according to reports.
The agreement is the first since Dynamic Fuels signed a
marketing deal with Mansfield Oil Co., which already had
a relationship with Norfolk Southern, earlier this month.
The Dynamic Fuels plant in Geismar, La., touts its product
as a "drop-in" renewable diesel that can replace petroleum
diesel without engine modification.
"Norfolk Southern is pleased to be the first fleet user of
renewable diesel in the United States," said a statement by
Gerhard Thelen, vice president of operations, planning and
support for the Norfolk, Va.-based railroad. "Our
locomotive engines are completely compatible with the pure
renewable diesel provided by Dynamic Fuels and Mansfield."
Ron Stinebaugh, senior vice president of Syntroleum, touted the
Dynamic Fuels renewable diesel as a sustainable, clean-
burning fuel.
The joint venture between Syntroleum and Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson, which began production at the plant in late 2010,
produces biofuel from animal fat, vegetable oil and other
renewable sources.
"The contract with Norfolk Southern is the first
manifestation of Dynamic Fuels' partnership with in a statement.
"Supplying a prestigious company like Norfolk Southern validates
our belief that customers are looking for renewable options that
increase sustainability and lower emissions without sacrificing
fuel quality."
The U.S. Navy purchased an order for 450,000 gallons from
Dynamic Fuels late last year. The Navy fuel contract will be a
joint venture using U.S.-sourced "yellow grease," or cooking oil,
and Solazyme Inc.'s algal oil as feedstocks.
Norfolk Southern operates more than 21,000 route miles in 22
states, Washington, D.C., and Ontario in Canada.
