Chevron to Restart Ralston Biodiesel Facility in Iowa: Nearly 42 Million Gallons a Year at Full Production After 2024 Idling
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), announced on November 12 that it will resume operations at its biodiesel production facility in Ralston, Iowa. The restart is supported by a commercial and operational agreement between Chevron and Landus Cooperative, the farmer-owned Iowa agriculture services cooperative that will supply feedstock to the plant.
Chevron said the decision follows improved biodiesel market conditions, and that the neighboring Landus processing facility gives the plant an efficient feedstock supply chain. Landus has recently made updates to its Ralston processing facility. Ralston sits in the country's second-largest soybean-farming state, and the Landus facility processes more than 28 million bushels of soybeans a year, making it the largest mechanical crush facility in the United States.
At full production, Ralston has a biodiesel production capacity of nearly 42 million gallons per year, enough to fuel more than 275,000 typical 18-wheelers. Chevron idled the facility in 2024 after a market downturn. The restart will be a staged process, including staffing, maintenance, safety and operational-readiness activities before production resumes. Chevron expects the restart to create employment and contracting opportunities in the region, though the timing and scope of workforce additions are still being assessed.
"Restarting the Ralston facility reflects improved market conditions and Chevron's commitment to helping meet our customers' energy demands," said Andy Walz, Chevron's president of Downstream, Midstream & Chemicals. "As global oil markets remain tight, Chevron is taking practical steps across our entire system to help strengthen fuel supply. Bringing Ralston back online will enable additional biodiesel production capacity while supporting the communities and customers we serve."
"The combination of soy processing and biodiesel production at the Ralston site has long represented a powerful partnership among our companies, communities and stakeholders," said Eric Heismeyer, Landus president and CEO. "Landus is proud to collaborate with Chevron on this important step toward increased market access for our farmer owners, and in doing so, contribute to Iowa's collective renewable fuel and agriculture leadership."
Chevron also noted that its U.S. petroleum refineries recently posted record crude throughput, operating at nearly 98% utilization in the third quarter, and that the company achieved monthly renewable diesel and biodiesel production records in 2026. Landus is a farmer-owned agriculture solutions company with operations spanning six U.S. states and Mexico, serving more than 5,500 farmer members, customers and their communities.
Source: Chevron Corporation
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：雪佛龙位于加州El Segundo的炼厂。Pedro Szekely摄，CC0，经Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Chevron's El Segundo refinery in California. Photo by Pedro Szekely, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
