Manchester Township-based United Biofuels is in the process of expanding its plant at 600 Farmbrook Lane, increasing the amount of biodiesel fuel made annually from 1.5 million gallons to between 5 million and 6 million gallons.

It will also now be able to make the fuel from poultry fat. For the last two years, the company has been using soybean oil to produce its alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

A second supply source for the biodiesel means more options as prices fluctuate for soy. Poultry fat is separated in the poultry production process, and is typically used in animal feed.

"This is going to be very important for competitive reasons," with said United Biofuels president and CEO John Cole.

The company received a $273,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to modify its equipment so it could produce biodiesel with poultry fat. The department awarded about $10 million throughout the state for similar projects.

Source: The York Dispatch