Renewable Energy Group
A United States biofuels producer whose biodiesel and renewable-diesel business became part of Chevron in 2022.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Renewable Energy Group (REG) was a United States biofuels company focused on producing and marketing biodiesel, renewable diesel, and related renewable-fuel products. Its origins date to 1996, when West Central Cooperative established a biodiesel division and began construction of a production plant in Ralston, Iowa. The business was separated from the cooperative in 2006 and moved its headquarters to Ames, Iowa, becoming an independent company with a broader industrial and commercial focus. REG developed a production network built around biorefineries and feedstock processing. Its business model combined the conversion of fats, oils, and other renewable feedstocks into transportation fuels with the procurement, processing, and marketing capabilities needed to supply fuel distributors and other commercial customers. Biodiesel was the company’s original and most established product area, while renewable diesel became an increasingly important part of its portfolio as fuel standards and decarbonization policies supported lower-carbon alternatives to petroleum diesel. The company expanded through acquisitions as well as internal development. In 2013, it acquired Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corporation, a biofuels business that had experienced difficulty achieving profitability. In 2015, REG acquired the assets of Seattle-based Imperium Renewables, adding further biodiesel production capabilities. These transactions broadened REG’s operating footprint and strengthened its position in the North American renewable-fuels sector. REG became a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq in 2012 under the ticker REGI. During the late 2010s it was described as a significant United States biodiesel producer and, as of 2018, was included in the Fortune 1000. Public descriptions of the company identified a network of 12 biorefineries and a feedstock-processing facility. Its operations were primarily concentrated in the United States, although its products and commercial activities also had links to European markets. The company experienced several leadership changes. Jeff Stroburg served as its initial chief executive after separation from West Central Cooperative. Daniel Oh succeeded him in 2011, followed by Reginald Howard as interim chief executive after Oh’s unexpected resignation in 2017. Cynthia Warner became chief executive in 2018. REG’s history also included serious industrial-safety incidents. An explosion occurred at the predecessor company’s InterWest facility in Ralston in 2001. Explosions later occurred at REG’s Geismar, Louisiana, facility in April and September 2015; following the incidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for three willful safety violations and imposed a $70,000 fine. On February 28, 2022, Chevron announced an agreement to acquire REG. The transaction was completed on June 13, 2022, ending REG’s status as an independent Nasdaq-listed company and bringing its renewable-fuels operations into Chevron. REG is therefore best understood historically as an independent renewable-fuels corporation and presently as a Chevron-owned business rather than as a standalone public issuer.
History
Renewable Energy Group began in 1996 as the biodiesel division of West Central Cooperative. The cooperative built a biodiesel plant in Ralston, Iowa, establishing the industrial foundation for what would become REG. In 2006, the biodiesel operation separated from West Central Cooperative and relocated its headquarters to Ames, Iowa. This separation marked the transition from a cooperative division into an independent renewable-fuels company. REG subsequently developed a broader platform spanning biodiesel production, renewable diesel, feedstock processing, and fuel marketing. Its operations were supported by multiple biorefineries and a feedstock-processing facility. The company’s activities were centered in the United States, with commercial connections extending into Europe. Biodiesel remained a core business, while renewable diesel provided an additional route for producing lower-carbon transportation fuel from renewable feedstocks. The company expanded through acquisitions. In 2012, REG became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the symbol REGI. In 2013, it acquired Syntroleum Corporation, a Tulsa-based biofuels company that had encountered profitability problems. In 2015, REG acquired the assets of Imperium Renewables, a Seattle-based biodiesel company. These transactions increased REG’s assets and production capabilities and supported its growth within the North American biofuels market. By 2018, the company was identified as a Fortune 1000 corporation. REG’s operating history also includes significant safety events. In June 2001, before the independent company was formed, an explosion at the predecessor company’s InterWest facility in Ralston left one person in critical condition. At REG’s Geismar, Louisiana, production facility, explosions occurred in April and September 2015. The incidents led to three OSHA citations classified as willful safety violations and a $70,000 fine. Leadership changed several times. Jeff Stroburg was the company’s initial chief executive after its separation from West Central Cooperative. Daniel Oh became CEO in 2011. Following Oh’s abrupt resignation in 2017, Reginald Howard served as interim CEO, and Cynthia Warner became CEO in 2018. The final major stage of REG’s independent corporate history was its acquisition by Chevron. Chevron announced the proposed transaction on February 28, 2022, and completed it on June 13 of the same year. REG consequently ceased to operate as an independent Nasdaq-listed company and became part of Chevron’s renewable-fuels activities. Its historical identity remains associated with the expansion of United States biodiesel and renewable diesel production, while its current corporate ownership belongs to Chevron.
- 2022
Acquisition by Chevron completed
[1]Chevron completed its acquisition of REG on June 13, bringing the business into the Chevron group.
- 2015
Imperium Renewables assets acquired
[1]REG acquired the assets of Seattle-based Imperium Renewables.
- 2013
Syntroleum acquisition
[1]REG acquired Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corporation.
- 2012
Nasdaq listing
[1]Renewable Energy Group became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the symbol REGI.
- 2006
Separation from West Central Cooperative
[1]The biodiesel business separated from West Central Cooperative and moved its headquarters to Ames.
- 2001
InterWest facility explosion
[1]An explosion occurred at the predecessor company’s InterWest facility in Ralston, Iowa.
- 1996
Biodiesel division established
[1]West Central Cooperative began the business as a biodiesel division and constructed a plant in Ralston, Iowa.
Products and positioning
A low-carbon transportation-fuels producer specializing in biodiesel, renewable diesel, and the processing of renewable feedstocks.
Renewable transportation fuel · 1996
Biodiesel
Biodiesel was REG’s original and central product category. The company produced and marketed biodiesel made from renewable feedstocks for use in transportation-fuel markets. Its manufacturing network and acquisitions of biodiesel assets made REG one of the better-known United States producers in this segment.
Renewable transportation fuel
Renewable diesel
Renewable diesel formed a second major pillar of REG’s fuel portfolio. It is a low-carbon transportation fuel produced from renewable feedstocks and positioned as an alternative to conventional petroleum diesel. The product became increasingly important to REG’s strategy before the company was acquired by Chevron.
Fuel-industry processing
Renewable feedstock processing
REG operated feedstock-processing capabilities alongside its biorefineries. These activities supported the preparation and handling of renewable raw materials used in the company’s biodiesel and renewable-diesel production chain.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition by ChevronM&ABackground
Chevron sought to expand its renewable-fuels activities through the purchase of an established biodiesel and renewable-diesel producer.
Action taken
Chevron announced the acquisition on February 28 and completed it on June 13.
Aftermath
REG ceased to be an independent publicly listed company and became part of Chevron.
2015
Acquisition of Imperium Renewables assetsM&ABackground
Imperium Renewables was a Seattle-based biodiesel company.
Action taken
REG acquired Imperium Renewables’ assets.
Aftermath
The acquisition added biodiesel production assets to REG’s network.
2013
Acquisition of Syntroleum CorporationM&ABackground
Syntroleum was a Tulsa-based biofuels company experiencing difficulty achieving profitability.
Action taken
REG acquired Syntroleum Corporation.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded REG’s corporate and biofuels platform.
Recent events
- 2022
Renewable Energy Group agrees to be acquired by Chevron[1]
M&A
Chevron announced an agreement to acquire Renewable Energy Group in a transaction intended to expand Chevron’s renewable-fuels business.
- 2022
Chevron completes acquisition of Renewable Energy Group[1]
M&A
The acquisition of REG by Chevron was completed on June 13, 2022, ending REG’s independent public-company status.
- 2015
Geismar facility explosions lead to OSHA citations and fine[1]
Regulation · Other
Explosions at REG’s Geismar, Louisiana, biofuels facility in April and September were followed by three OSHA willful safety violations and a $70,000 fine.
- 2015
Renewable Energy Group acquires Imperium Renewables assets[1]
M&A
REG acquired the assets of Seattle-based biodiesel company Imperium Renewables, expanding its production footprint.
- 2013
Renewable Energy Group acquires Syntroleum[1]
M&A
REG acquired Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corporation during a period when Syntroleum was struggling to achieve profitability.
Sources6 sources
- 1Renewable Energy Groupen.wikipedia.org
- 2Renewable Energy Group official websiteregi.com
- 3REG acquires California-based Amber Resources | Biodiesel Magazinebiodieselmagazine.com
- 4REG collaborates with ISU on hydrotreater pilot plant | Biodiesel Magazinebiodieselmagazine.com
- 5REG collaborates with ISU on hydrotreater pilot plant | Biomass Magazinebiomassmagazine.com
- 6Renewable Energy Group Closes Houston Biodiesel Plantenergy.agwired.com
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