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By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
Isanti’s new biodiesel facility—the first of its kind using the revolutionary “Mcgyan Process”—will be operational in the next three months.
Owners of the new biodiesel facility, Ever Cat Fuels, held a mid-construction tour Dec. 19 to give community members a chance to see inside the facility and give them a progress update.
 Isanti Mayor George Wimmer said this an exciting project for the city of Isanti, and the owners of Ever Cat Fuels have been good stewards of the community.
Pictured: Taking a Dec. 19 tour of the new biodiesel facility in Isanti are Glen Heffron, plant manager; Larry McNeff, chief manager of Ever Cat Fuels; Carla Vita, city of Isanti; Marie McNeff, secretary of Ever Cat Fuels; John Bettendorf, Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce; Jan Peterson, Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce; Rob Eastlund, state representative; Warren Thunstrom, Rendezvous Coffee; Clayton McNeff, chief financial officer of Ever Cat Fuels; and George Wimmer, Isanti Mayor. (Photo by Rachel Kytonen)
Wimmer mentioned students will be able to tour the facility, and Ever Cat Fuels have made donations to help support different community projects.
He also mentioned Ever Cat Fuels has used a lot of local contractors during the construction process.
Dr. Clayton McNeff, vice president of research at SarTec Corporation and chief financial officer of Ever Cat Fuels, said more than 40 countries have contacted Ever Cat Fuels interested in learning more about the new technology.
“We expect this plant to be a showcase plant, and expect it to spread,” McNeff said.
Wimmer said another benefit to the city with the plant is the revenue that will be brought in when people stop in and tour the plant, and then spend dollars eating and shopping in the community.
During the tour Marie McNeff mentioned the plant is hiring and training will take place during the next couple of months.
She said the plant will offer good paying jobs and most only require a high school diploma and a willingness to be trained in plant operation.
The Mcgyan process
The Mcgyan Process is a new way to produce biodiesel in a fixed bed flow-through reactor that could change how the industry produces this renewable fuel.
 This technology was initially developed at the University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry by Dr. Peter W. Carr for separation science and then conceived for biodiesel catalysis by Professor Arlin Gyberg of Augsburg College and Dr. Clayton McNeff, co-founder of Ever Cat Fuels, LLC.
Pictured: The Ever Cat Fuels 10,000 square foot biodiesel production facility is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Isanti Parkway East and East Dual Blvd.
The key to this new technology is a highly efficient, heterogeneous metal oxide-based catalyst reactor that efficiently and economically converts feedstock plant oils and animal fats to biodiesel.
For more information on Ever Cat Fuels visit www.evercatfuels.com or call 763-421-1072.
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