CountryMark Partners With Topsoe to Launch Renewable Diesel Production Project in Indiana

CountryMark, a farmer cooperative in the United States, has partnered with Danish energy technology company Topsoe to introduce Hydroflex technology at its refinery located in Mount Vernon, Indiana, using locally sourced soybean oil to produce renewable diesel. This project aims to promote environmental sustainability while strengthening the local agricultural supply chain.

CountryMark refinery currently processes 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day. By integrating Topsoe's Hydroflex technology, the facility will add a sustainable product line, expected to produce 250,000 barrels of renewable diesel annually. This fuel can be used directly in existing diesel engines and infrastructure without modification. The project plans to start co-processing renewable feedstock in September 2025.

The project delivers significant environmental benefits, with an estimated annual reduction of approximately 84,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. More importantly, the project has established a “local production–local consumption” circular economy model: the soybean oil required by the refinery is supplied by Indiana farmers, and the renewable diesel produced will, in turn, support local agricultural equipment and community needs. This initiative opens up a stable in-state market for Indiana’s agricultural products and deepens the economic integration between the energy and agriculture sectors.

Henrik Rasmussen, General Manager of Topsoe Americas, stated: "We have a long-standing partnership with CountryMark. With the growing demand for renewable diesel, we are pleased to assist in producing cleaner fuels and advancing the low-carbon energy transition in the United States." CountryMark President and CEO Matt Smorch added: "This move not only creates greater value for diesel buyers but also boosts local agricultural demand while optimizing refinery asset efficiency."

The collaboration is part of CountryMark Refinery's over $100 million expansion project, which, in addition to the renewable diesel unit, includes other diesel quality upgrades and capacity enhancement projects. Topsoe's Hydroflex technology has been in use since 2010 and is known for its flexibility, capable of converting various animal and plant oils into high-quality "drop-in" renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).