Rentech Announces Fuel Sale to Military

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Capping a wild week for the company’s stock, Rentech Inc. shares rose nearly 17 percent Friday after the company announced it has sold its synthetic diesel fuel for use in a special military vehicle.

The Los Angeles company’s synthetic diesel will be used in an upcoming air show at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, to demonstrate the viability of such fuel for the U.S. military, which is under pressure to increase its use of alternative fuels.

Rentech, which produces clean synthetic fuels and fertilizers from green waste and natural gas, did not say how much fuel it sold for the show. This is the second such sale to the U.S. military for testing purposes.

The company’s shares soared 86 percent on Tuesday after the company said it signed a multiyear contract to supply eight airlines with up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel for ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport.

But the stock slide 19 percent Thursday after Rentech said it was selling 8.6 million shares for $1.75 per share to an institutional investor in a private placement, thus diluting the holdings of other investors.

Rentech plans to use the $15 million in net proceeds to build out its synthetic fuel plant in Rialto.

Shares on Friday closed up 31 cents, or 17 percent, to $2.16 on the New York Alternet.

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