Chevron Corp is buying biodiesel maker Renewable Energy Group Inc for $3.15 billion, in its biggest bet so far on alternative fuels.
Chevron would pay $61.5 in cash per share of Renewable Energy, more than 40 percent above the company's Friday close, according to sources. Renewable Energy shares increased by more than 37 percent in early trading.
Given their significant emissions contributions, huge pressure is being put on major oil companies to reduce their carbon footprint and join the fight against climate change.
Many US refineries have been increasing the production of renewable diesel to profit from increased state and federal incentives for reducing carbon emissions in fuels.
Chevron has committed to lowering operational emissions by 2050 to net-zero and, in September, pledged to invest $10 billion through 2028 to minimize its carbon output using renewable fuels, with around $3 billion dedicated.
Renewable Energy Group, a firm based in Ames, Iowa, produces both biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Biofuels are created from agricultural waste and food crops produced specifically for fuel feedstock.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel are refined in similar ways, but renewable diesel goes through a distinct purification procedure to make it chemically identical to ultra-low-sulfur diesel.
In certain regions, the company has indicated that it is looking for ways to integrate biodiesel into renewable diesel.
According to the Energy Information Administration, renewable diesel production capacity in the United States may increase fivefold from 1 billion gallons currently to more than 5 billion gallons each year by 2024.
The agreement is expected to aid Chevron's goal of increasing renewable fuels production capacity to 100,000 barrels a day by 2030 and bring additional feedstock supplies and pre-treatment facilities.
According to Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, the company will not immediately provide specifics on how it would break out its renewable business.
The transaction is to be completed in the second half of the year and expected to contribute to Chevron's income in the first year and free cash flow after the start-up of Renewable Energy Group's Geismar expansion in Louisiana.


Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran
Burkina Faso and Mali’s fabulous flora: new plant life record released
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment
As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine
Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires – Colorado’s formerly incarcerated people on the hazards they faced behind bars
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off
Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate
What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains 



