Industrial Development Briefs: Hybar, T Bros Oil & Gas Co.

Hybar

Hybar last week produced its first rebar at its new steel mini mill in Osceola, Ark. The rebar was produced 22 months after the company broke ground on a 1,300-acre greenfield construction site using purchased billets.

Over the coming month, Hybar says it plans to begin commissioning its 105-ton DC electric arc furnace and continuous caster, while completing commissioning of its rolling mill and solar and battery storage facility. SMS group GmbH provided Hybar’s electric arc furnace, continuous caster, rolling mill, and water treatment plant. DEPCOM Power, Inc. designed and built Hybar’s solar and battery storage facility.

Hybar says it intends to produce 700,000 plus tons of rebar annually in sizes #3 to #18 in both stick and spooled form. The spools will range from sizes #3 to #8, with spools as large as eight tons. Hybar’s rebar will be shipped via barge on the Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers; via rail on BNSF and other rail networks; and via truck on the east-west and north-south nearby highways.

Hybar will operate its behind-the-meter solar and battery storage facility in a manner that will allow the company to be the only steel producer in North America to be able to produce steel using 100% renewable power, when the sun is shining, the company noted. Hybar has a special rate power contract with Entergy Arkansas, under which it will be able to buy electrical power to supplement the adjacent solar generated and battery stored power when needed. Primetals Technologies USA LLC provided the majority of Hybar’s onsite electrical infrastructure, including the substation and power distribution network.

“Hybar’s first day as a company was August 1, 2023. We had $1 billion of financing, three employees, and huge ambitions,” said Hubar CEO Dave Stickler. “Our plan was to build the world’s most technically advanced environmentally sustainable rebar steel mini mill, along with our own Mississippi River port, and the largest behind-the-meter solar and battery storage facility in the United States. Twenty-two months later, I am extremely proud to say, ‘Mission accomplished!’ Hats off to the Hybar team and our construction contractors for a job well done.”

“Being able to build three projects in twenty-two months using our $1 billion, which included our contingency, is a testament to the great team assembled at Hybar, and the partnership Hybar formed with Lexicon Inc., the construction manager for all three projects,” added Hybar CFO Ari Levy.

T Bros & Oil Gas Co.

T Bros Oil & Gas Co. on June 2 announced the grand opening of its state-of-the-art bulk renewable diesel depot in Barstow, Calif., set for Summer 2025.

According to the company, this cutting-edge facility “marks a transformative step for sustainable logistics and economic growth within the vital Southern California transportation corridor, reinforcing Barstow’s pivotal role in the region’s supply chain. The depot’s advanced infrastructure and strategic foresight position it as a cornerstone for clean energy innovation.”

Located at 2957 Lenwood Road, the depot aligns with the transformative Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project, BNSF’s $1.5 billion, 4,800-acre rail yard, intermodal facility, and logistics park set to begin construction in late 2026. The BIG project is expected to create an estimated 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, including roles in rail operations, logistics, and supporting industries. By launching ahead of BIG, “the depot proactively addresses the anticipated surge in clean fuel demand driven by this development,” T Bros Oil & Gas Co. noted. “Its prime location near I-15 and Highway 58 integrates seamlessly with Barstow’s 2048 Growth Plan, which prioritizes industrial development in this corridor, enhancing the region’s established role as a critical fuel distribution point via the Kinder Morgan CALNEV pipeline.”

The depot is engineered for high-volume wholesale distribution, initially offering conventional Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) through the Kinder Morgan pipeline in Summer 2025. Equipped with state-of-the-art systems for efficient rack loading, precise blending, secure storage, and high-capacity throughput, the facility opens with two loading racks, expanding to six by year-end. “This modern infrastructure, adhering to rigorous safety and environmental standards, minimizes downtime for customer fleets and aligns with industry best practices for automated fuel terminals, ensuring rapid turnarounds and reliable supply,” the company said.

According to T Bros Oil & Gas Co., by late 2025, a “mini refinery” will be added to the facility for the production of renewable diesel. This is a new type of fuel refinery that the company says introduces a new paradigm to the moribund fuel industry, including:

• “The equipment is safe to run without dangerous chemicals.
• “No pollution escapes the machine to air, water, or the ground.
• “The equipment scales to any desired throughput.
• “It makes the cleanest fuel on the planet!”

According to the company, the renewable diesel is a premium “drop-in” biofuel, chemically identical to petroleum diesel by meeting ASTM D975 standards. It requires no engine modifications or infrastructure upgrades, “lowering barriers for logistics companies adopting sustainable fuels. With enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, it supports improved vehicle performance and compliance with California’s stringent environmental regulations, ensuring operational stability in a green economy. This compatibility accelerates the adoption of cleaner fuels across the transportation sector.”

“The depot’s strategic placement strengthens Barstow’s emergence as a leading green logistics hub. By providing sustainable fuel options, it supports companies utilizing BIG, helping them navigate rising carbon costs and regulatory demands. This synergy drives economic vitality, attracts environmentally conscious businesses, and positions Barstow as a model for sustainable freight movement, contributing to California’s clean energy goals,” the company stated in a release.

“This depot is a cornerstone of sustainable commerce,” said CTO Timothy Wetzel. “It supports the growth driven by the Barstow International Gateway while enabling businesses to achieve environmental and operational excellence, cementing Barstow’s transformation into a premier green logistics hub for California and beyond.”