Frazier, Barnes & Associates is an independent biodiesel consulting firm that has built its reputation one client at a time. As a consulting innovator since 1996, FBA has acquired a wealth of expertise, strategic insight, and technical knowledge that helps our clients assess the best overall plan for their biodiesel facility.
Frazier, Barnes & Associates has provided biodiesel consulting services for more than a decade, from feasibility analysis to on-site technical support and independent engineering reviews. Our team comprises the most trusted and experienced consultants in the industry. FBA provides critical support services such as feedstock and marketing assistance, technical support, marketing expertise and RFS2 assistance.
Feasibility Studies
FBA conducts comprehensive feasibility studies based upon USDA feasibility study guidelines. There are five different categories to evaluate for an acceptable feasibility study. These include, but are not limited to:
- Economic feasibility
- Market feasibility
- Technical feasibility
- Financial feasibility
- Management feasibility
Feasibility studies for new plants are the most important step you will ever take, not only because they help you make “Go, No-Go” decisions, but comprehensive studies also provide tremendous business insight to prospective plant operators.
RFS2 and Independent Engineering Reviews
The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates greenhouse gas emissions and sets specific Renewable Fuel Volume Requirements. These requirements are categorized by “D” codes. The process for compliance is time consuming and very complex. Frazier, Barnes & Associates has been deeply involved in the evaluation and implementation of the new RFS2 regulations, providing integral support to first and second generation biofuels facilities. We make the complex as simple as possible and minimize the time requirements to save you money and resources.
Biofuel producers are required, according to the EPA RFS2 Regulations, to be reviewed by a Professional Engineer. The particular requirements are delineated in 40 CFR §80.1450. This requires a site visit by an independent professional engineer, with experience in the chemical engineering field and/or renewable fuel production. FBA offers this service and can help guide you through the EPA regulations.
Financial Modeling
FBA has evaluated biodiesel facilities for more than a decade. Our unique knowledge of the feedstock, technical and marketing aspects enable us to develop a financial model that is both accurate and insightful to proposed plants. Existing plants can gain valuable benchmarking information, making them much more competitive in the marketplace. FBA’s models have been accepted by well-known lending institutions and rating agencies for integrated and stand-alone facilities.
Market Studies and Off-take Agreements
Successful biodiesel marketing is site-specific. The renewable fuel industry competes in a complex, well established fuel industry. Market studies should reflect the opportunities and challenges that exist in the real world, including price, quality and regulatory issues. Understanding the industry and the market participants could make the difference between success and failure in the marketplace. FBA helps producers get the most out of their product and co-product values and links the producer with key strategic partners for long-term success.
At FBA, we provide services to facilitate clarity for investment in your business. We provide in-depth market studies that allow full visibility using up to date information and experience based projections. We also have facilitated several off-take agreements to provide assurance of your product’s sales and returns.
Feedstock Analysis
At the heart of biodiesel profitability is the availability and cost of feedstock, whether it is yellow grease, poultry fat, tallow, choice white grease, corn oil or soybean oil. Assuring the supply of inexpensive and reliable feedstock for a biodiesel facility is a vital concern during the feasibility stage and ultimately plant operations.
FBA has developed a database of key feedstock logistics and pricing information for biodiesel facilities to understand the trends on a site specific and global basis. The cost of feedstock will determine whether a biodiesel facility will make or lose money. Yield loss, which is often misunderstood and incorrectly calculated, can be a hidden feedstock cost and in many cases could be reduced by strategic procurement. FBA works with procurement and yield loss daily to make selected biodiesel plants more efficient and profitable.
Independent Engineering and Plant Services
Engineering expertise is unprecedented in a maturing industry like the biodiesel industry. FBA is equipped with many of the most experienced personnel in the biodiesel industry, capable of improving the use of your current technologies or providing assistance in updating your technologies and practices. Our knowledge of biodiesel production technologies can help you gain advantages in an increasingly competitive market.
The experience we have gained over more than a decade of independent engineering and providing plant services allow us to provide valuable assistance to biodiesel producers around the country.
Process Safety Management Program
In the developing industry of biodiesel, it is sometimes difficult to realize the absolute necessity of a Process Safety Management (PSM) program. A simple mistake has caused serious injury or even death too many times in this industry. It is important to improve the maturity of the industry by taking all the necessary steps to ensure personnel safety. Even incredibly intelligent individuals make simple errors caused by process safety ignorance. Please take the time to evaluate your Process Safety Management program or inquire as to how FBA can help in this incredibly important part of the process. Our fully developed PSM program is developed internally and customized to your plant.
RINtrust
Frazier Barnes & Associates, one of the most trusted names in the biodiesel industry, in conjunction with RIN Attest and Advisory Services, has collaborated to form RINtrust, a comprehensive and discreet RFS2 compliance and RIN Integrity program. FBA already conducts RFS2 engineering reviews and has implemented cost effective inventory management systems in a number of plants. FBA is already working with plants, blenders, and obligated parties to ensure RIN integrity, manage inventory, and monitor process yields. RINtrust is committed to a RIN verification process that enables a biodiesel plant to produce RINs in confidence – while simultaneously gaining valuable information about process economics and yields.
RIN Attest and Advisory Services provides RIN Attestation and Compliance services to the renewable fuel industry. RAAS works extensively with more than 100 companies in the industry, providing in-depth guidance in support of managing their RINs on a day-to-day basis, as well as ensuring compliance with RFS2 regulations. RAAS provides annual RFS2 attestations to biofuel plants throughout the U.S.
RINtrust, a culmination of cooperation between the two firms, pledges to provide economical services that not only ensure the validity of the RINS, but to add significant value to the biodiesel facility. The RINtrust program combines existing knowledge and services that:
1. Are comprehensive and user friendly
2. Are cost effective and add value to the company bottom line
3. Provide the highest level of RIN integrity possible
4. Allows the biodiesel facility to operate discreetly, without exposing sensitive and proprietary information