URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association congratulates the Renewable Energy Group, Inc. on its recent move to Ames, Iowa. The relocation from Ralston, Iowa, was officially completed Nov. 6, 2007, when REG held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new offices at 416 S. Bell Avenue in Ames, Iowa.

“The ISA welcomes REG to central Iowa and looks forward to further cooperative efforts with REG on behalf of the Iowa biodiesel industry. Iowa soybean farmers are proud that REG leadership ensures Iowa’s place as the major epicenter of the U.S. biodiesel industry,” says Curt Sindergard. He is ISA president and a soybean farmer near Rolfe, Iowa.

The new 60,000-square-foot REG headquarters includes offices, a state-of-the-art laboratory, and a conference center and auditorium which is equipped for on-site and remote training and meetings.

“Relocating to Ames offers a better location and space for our company to grow. A closer proximity to Iowa State University also allows us to tap into research capabilities,” says Jeff Stroburg, REG chairman and chief executive officer.

REG is a biodiesel company that builds and manages plants and sells fuel. With a staff of 92, REG has more than 10 years of experience in biodiesel production, technology and marketing. In 2006, REG marketed 78 million gallons, or 27 percent, of all biodiesel sold nationally. Current REG network production capacity is 162 million gallons per year and expected to grow to more than 490 million gallons by 2010.

“Iowa soybean farmers are pleased to see how far this industry has progressed since they began funding research and promotion of biodiesel. Since 1992, more than $50 million checkoff dollars have been invested,” says Grant Kimberly, ISA director of market development.

“REG, through its start from West Central Co-op, was one of the first to begin producing and marketing biodiesel in 1996. They were a leading innovator then and they continue that leadership today,” says Kimberley.

REG is the third company to achieve BQ-9000 certification in fuel quality assurance, both as a producer and marketer of biodiesel. The BQ-9000 certification is a voluntary program that combines the American Society for Testing and Materials standard for biodiesel, ASTM D 6751, and a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution and fuel management.