There's new life for the former Methes Energies plant in Sombra.
The 21-acre facility, idle for the past 18 months due to poor market conditions, has been sold to Hamilton-based BIOX Corp. for $4.5-million.
BIOX says it'll employ up to 20 workers at the biodiesel plant which is expected to be operational within a year. The company plans to spend $5-million over the next 12 months on upgrades to improve efficiency, and enable the use of a broader range of feedstock.
BIOX plans to use lower carbon intensive feedstocks including animal fats, and recycled cooking oils.
Methes will consult with and assist BIOX in restarting the plant which represents a 75% increase to BIOX's production capacity.
The site was home to the former Chinook Chemical facility which was purchased by Methes in 2008.
BIOX is a renewable energy company that owns and operates a 67-million litre per year biodiesel plant in Hamilton.