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New alliance will benefit UK biofuels industry
A new partnership has been formed in the UK to help it’s North-Eastern biofuels
industry become an international hub for the sector and achieve its goal of being
worth £ 1 billion to the regional economy by 2027
The North-East Process Industries Cluster
(Nepic) and North- East Biofuels (NEB) have
formed a £ 1.7 million three-year alliance to
help deliver the region´s biofuels strategy.
The document, launched last year by regional
development agency One NorthEast (One),
outlines the significant opportunities for
the region´s biofuels cluster, which has the
potential to supply the global market and
attract international investment.
Ian Williams, One’s director of business and
industry, said: “North-East England has the
potential to be one of the only European hubs
capable of supplying the global market and
attracting major investment – but it is still a
young industry. We need strong leadership
and expertise to build the capacity that will
be needed in our production infrastructure
and supply chains. “By bringing together the
different strengths and areas of expertise of
Nepic and NEB to deliver the strategy, the
region is in the strongest possible position
to deliver on the strategy and seize on this
opportunity for our economy.”
Hungrana to triple bioethanol capacity
Hungary‘s Hungrana, Europe‘s largest maize processor, has more than tripled its
bioethanol capacity in an EUR 100 million investment in Szabadegyháza, central
Hungary
Attila Lengyel, Managing Director of Hungrana,
said the enlarged capacity, planned to reach
150 000 tonnes a year, would already be enough
for Hungary to meet the European Union’s
target for a 10 percent bioethanol content in
vehicle fuel by 2020. Hungrana has also started
preparations for the full utilisation of by-products
and wastewater in biogas production. According
to preliminary calculations, the biogas plant
would be able to supply 25–30 percent of the
company’s energy needs. Hungrana started
marketing its GreenPower E85 renewable fuel,
which contains 14 percent petrol, 2 percent
denaturants and 84 percent bioethanol made
from corn, less than a year ago, opening the
door for FFVs (Flexi Fuel Vehicles) in Hungary.
Currently, a total of 15 filling stations sell E85
and the company is in talks with other fuel
retailers to make E85 available elsewhere.
Hungrana plans to make this fuel available at
100–150 petrol stations within a year. Hungrana
is a joint venture (50–50 percent) of Austria’s
Agrana International and US-UK Eaststarch
(Tate & Lyle and ADM).
Atlas Copco invests in environmental technology
Atlas Copco owned Intermech ltd, New zealand, a world pioneer and exporter of
clean fuel CNG (compressed natural gas) compressors, is expanding its environmental
footprint with the opening of its new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art factory
A vehicle fuelled with CNG emits a carbon
footprint that is less by a quarter of a petrol or
diesel vehicle, and thus represents a viable, lowemission
energy source for metropolitan centers,
especially those with high-density populations.
“This investment further enhances Atlas Copco’s
commitment to environmental-friendly
technologies,” says Ronnie Leten, President
of Atlas Copco’s business area Compressor
Technique. “It also strengthens Intermech’s
position in the fast growing CNG market and
allows us to better serve the needs of our customers.”
The investment in the 3 000-square
meter, environmentally certified factory will
enable Intermech’s 80 employees to immediately
increase production capacity by 200 percent
and slash order-to-delivery times from nine to
three months. Product development will be
also be enhanced with the expansion of the
company’s research and development division
which is also located at the new premises.
Intermech designs, manufactures, and markets
a range of compressed natural gas (CNG)
compressors and related equipment used at
filling stations for vehicles fuelled with natural
gas. Atlas Copco acquired Intermech in 2005
in response to the increasing global demand
for alternative transport fuels. The company
operates under the Oil-free Air division of the
Compressor Technique business area.
Blue Sun Biodiesel
continues to open retail
fueling locations
Blue Sun Biodiesel has announced that
it continues to open retail fueling locations
through the western US.
Michael Miller, president and COO of Blue
Sun Biodiesel, said: “Blue Sun Fusion exceeds
all ASTM specifications, so drivers know they
have the highest quality fuel available. Our
Fusion fuel outperforms other B20 fuels on the
market because our superior quality ensures
the fuel is the cleanest on the market.”
Using Blue Sun Fusion B20 fuel, compared
to regular petroleum diesel, reduces carbon
monoxide 24 percent, hydrocarbons 29 percent
and nitrogen oxides 4 percent, according to the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Alternative
Fuel
news
Sekab introduces verified
sustainable ethanol
Sweden-based Sekab has introduced
verified sustainable ethanol in the Swedish
fuel market. This ethanol, which is
produced from Brazilian sugarcane, is
reportedly quality assured from environmental,
climate and social perspectives
Sekab, together with Brazilian cane producers,
has developed criteria that cover the entire
lifecycle of ethanol, from the sugarcane fields
to its use in flexi-fuel cars. The criteria for
verification are reportedly in line with demands
highlighted in the ongoing processes being led
by organizations like the UN, EU, ILO and
a number of non-governmental organizations.
The requirements have zero tolerance towards
child labor, non-organized working conditions
and the destruction of rain forests. There are
also requirements concerning working conditions,
labour laws and wages. The company
noted that only 30 percent of harvesting is
currently mechanized and is expected to
be fully mechanized by 2014. Sekab claims
to deliver about 90 percent of all ethanol in
Sweden for use in E85 and ED95 ethanol for
heavy vehicles.
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