The FINANCIAL -- Los Angeles - Tellurian Biodiesel, a leading independent distributor and marketer of sustainable high-quality biodiesel, has entered into a joint venture with Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the quick-service restaurant industry, to recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel that exceeds industry specifications.

The new venture, The company plans to open additional processing plants throughout the U.S. as the market develops for their product. These plants will be sited near locations which aggregate used cooking oil from restaurants. Encore will recycle this material in the production of a more sustainable biodiesel fuel.

The high-quality biodiesel produced by this closed-loop solution will be sold to trucking companies, municipal fleets and to GSF to fuel its distribution fleet, which services its customers in the quick-service restaurant industry.

Encore BioRenewable’s first plant will begin production at a rate of five million gallons of biodiesel annually. The facility’s output will be expanded as American demand for renewable biodiesel continues to increase with the country’s accelerated transition off of foreign oil.

Tellurian’s recently announced acquisition of Superior Process Technologies, which is expected to close in late spring, will provide Encore BioRenewables with a proprietary process to turn low-grade raw materials into high quality biodiesel that exceeds both ASTM and EN quality specifications at prices competitive with petroleum diesel.

In addition to used cooking oil, Encore BioRenewables will convert other recyclable domestic fats and oils into high-quality biodiesel. The company projects production of at least 100 million gallons annually, once its national network is fully operational.

“With this progressive venture, Golden State Foods is taking a leadership role in the widespread adoption of sustainable biodiesel, a cleaner, domestic, renewable fuel ready to help keep America’s trucking industry rolling,” said Joe Gershen, president of Encore BioRenewables and Tellurian’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We look forward to working with our new partner to introduce this innovative biodiesel initiative to the American marketplace.”

Bill Sanderson, GSF’s corporate vice president of finance, said: “GSF first approached Tellurian more than four years ago, seeking guidance in converting cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. We’re delighted to have formed this alliance and have found Joe Gershen and the entire Tellurian team to be among the most knowledgeable biodiesel experts in the field and terrific strategic partners.”

“The initiative,” Sanderson added, “provides us with a wonderful opportunity to help our customers accomplish their environmental and social responsibility objectives.”

About Tellurian Biodiesel, Inc.

With offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Tellurian supplies the food service, manufacturing, entertainment and technology industries with biodiesel and biodiesel education. It has worked with several municipal fleets as they transition to using biodiesel, including those in the cities of Santa Monica, San Francisco, ING lewood and Beverly Hills.

About Golden State Foods

Golden State Foods is one of the largest diversified suppliers to the quick service restaurant industry. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif. the $3.3 billion company is value based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation and customer service.

Related Stories

• Rasmussen Reports: 59% Still Hold Favorable View of Toyota
• Opel Unveils Restructuring Plan, to Cut 8,300 Jobs across Europe
• Toyota orders global Prius, other hybrids recall over brakes