[5] Renewable Energy Group began in 1996 as the biodiesel division of West Central Cooperative[6][7] with the construction of a plant in Ralston, Iowa.

[8] After Oh's abrupt and unexpected resignation in 2017, Reginald Howard became interim CEO, and was replaced in 2018 by Cynthia Warner.

[13][2] In June 2001, the predecessor company's InterWest facility in Ralston exploded, leaving one man in critical condition.

[14][15] The company's biofuels production facility in Geismar, Louisiana suffered from explosions in April and September 2015.

[16] As a result of this explosion, Renewable Energy Group was cited with three "willful" safety violations and was fined $70,000 by OSHA.