A Bridgeport-based company that makes biodiesel in New Haven has launched a campaign to increase use of its product, promoting the alternative fuel’s role in reducing carbon emissions.
American GreenFuels LLC announced its “You Are What You Heat” campaign this week, hoping to educate consumers about the option of using its Bioheat oil for home heating.
Bioheat, a certified biodiesel produced by American GreenFuels, is being touted as a renewable, cleaner-burning alternative to diesel fuel — one that creates jobs in Connecticut and lowers emissions at a time of growing concern about climate change.
“Certified biodiesel from American GreenFuels meets specific standards and offers environmental benefits to consumers in Connecticut,” said company President Raf Aviner. “We hope consumers ask their home heating dealers to make sure they blend American GreenFuels biodiesel into their heating oil.”
American GreenFuels’ plant is located at 30 Waterfront St. in New Haven, near Gateway Terminal and across the water from Long Wharf Park. The plant uses waste oils such as used cooking oil from restaurants and food factories to produce its Bioheat heating oil, which typically contains a minimum of 2 to 5 percent biodiesel.
The company is also urging customers to ask their heating oil distributors to use a higher percentage of biodiesel in their blends, which typical mix the alternative fuel into traditional low-sulfur heating oil.
American GreenFuels and Bridgeport-based parent company Kolmar Americas have quadrupled production capacity at the New Haven plant, which is now the largest biodiesel manufacturer in the Northeast, according to a company statement. A total of 40 people are employed by the New Haven facility, which has the capacity to produce approximately 40 million gallons of biodiesel a year.
Biodiesel sold in Connecticut provides greenhouse-gas emission savings of 78 to 93 percent when compared to heating oil made from traditional fossil fuels, according to the company.
“Our biodiesel plant has only been in operation since 2013, and during that time has made great progress in expanding its capacity and quality standards. Now with the help of Connecticut consumers, we can all work toward improving our environment,” said Paul F. Teta, American GreenFuels vice president and general counsel.
Kolmar Americas Inc., a subsidiary of Swiss petrochemical and petroleum company Kolmar Group, acquired the New Haven plant in 2016. The facility was formerly known as Greenleaf Biofuels.
