Animal by-products group extends global reach with storage terminal completion

Leo Group, a Halifax-headquartered specialist in animal by-products and renewable energy, has completed construction of its new maritime storage terminal at the port of Sunderland.  

The storage tanks will hold the oil recycled from Leo Group’s Omega Protein plants across the UK  and allows the company to load some of the largest tankers in operation today.

This oil, a highly valuable cargo, is shipped to energy companies and is used to generate renewable energy as well as being processed into high-tech “green” Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel.

In recent years, demand for biofuel has soared as it has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuels.

The oil, a natural by-product derived from animal waste which the company collects across the UK, is a key component in the process of producing an advanced  form of biofuel.

To meet internationally growing demand for its oil, Leo Group chose the port of Sunderland for its strategic location on the east coast and access to major transport routes.

The company says its multi-million pound investment is a crucial building block for the future, as the Sunderland terminal will play a pivotal role in the global export of its oil.  

Danny Sawrij, CEO of The Leo Group, said: “We are pleased that our terminal in Sunderland is now operational.

“It will serve as our main distribution centre for oil and secure our future exports to the EU and other markets around the world, which we expect to increase over time.

“It is great that we are able to recycle 100% of all animal by-products at our sites and help reduce CO2 emissions with our products. 

“A decade ago, you would have buried a dead sheep in the ground with the risk of contamination. Now we can convert the sheep into sustainable aviation fuel and electricity. That’s how far we’ve come.”  

Matthew Hunt, director at Port of Sunderland, said: “Leo Group is the latest in a number of  pioneering circular economy businesses to have announced a major investment at the Port of  Sunderland and we’re absolutely delighted that its state-of-the-art export facility here in our Port is now ready to start shipping operations to overseas markets.

“The need for countries the world-over  to transition to Net Zero societies has led to soaring demand for clean biofuels such as those produced by Leo Group.”