Wynnewood Refinery's 15,000 barrel-per-day Renewable Diesel hydrotreater has successfully completed commissioning and achieved full nameplate production capacity — two weeks ahead of the original project schedule. The unit, which converts renewable feedstocks into a product chemically identical to petroleum-derived diesel, represents Wynnewood's second major renewable fuels platform alongside its Sustainable Aviation Fuel production facility.
The achievement marks a significant technical and commercial milestone. Renewable Diesel produced via the HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) pathway is not biodiesel. It is a hydrocarbon that meets ASTM D975 — the same specification as petroleum diesel — meaning it can be used as a 100 percent drop-in replacement with no engine modifications, no infrastructure changes, and no blending limitations.
Superior Performance Characteristics
What makes Renewable Diesel particularly compelling for fleet operators is that it actually outperforms conventional diesel on several key metrics. Wynnewood's HVO typically achieves cetane numbers between 75 and 80, compared to the 40–45 range for standard ULSD. Higher cetane means better combustion efficiency, smoother engine operation, and reduced NOx emissions at the tailpipe.
Cold-flow properties are also superior. Our Renewable Diesel demonstrates cloud points as low as -20°C without additives, making it suitable for winter operations in northern climates where conventional diesel requires cold-flow improvers or kerosene blending.
Feedstock Strategy
The unit is designed for feedstock flexibility — a critical advantage in a market where renewable feedstock prices can be volatile. Wynnewood has secured a diversified feedstock supply including used cooking oil (UCO), animal fats (tallow and choice white grease), and distillers corn oil. Multi-source feedstock procurement reduces supply risk and enables the company to optimize feedstock costs based on market conditions.
Regulatory Value
Every gallon of Renewable Diesel generates valuable environmental credits under multiple regulatory programs. Under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), it qualifies for D4 RINs (biomass-based diesel). Under California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), it generates LCFS credits based on its lifecycle carbon intensity score. The combined credit value provides significant revenue support beyond the base diesel price — a structural economic advantage that conventional diesel cannot match.
With the unit now at full capacity, Wynnewood is actively contracting supply agreements with fleet operators, fuel distributors, and municipalities seeking to reduce their transportation emissions using a fuel that requires zero infrastructure investment.