Vopak, Swiss Firm to Build Dutch Biodiesel Plant
Date: 13-Mar-06
Country: NETHERLANDS
The plant, which will produce 400,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year and 60,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical glycerine, will become operational in the third quarter of 2007, the firms said in a statement.
"From Rotterdam, Biopetrol aims to access sales regions in northern, western and central Europe," it said.
Biopetrol currently produces around 150,000 tonnes of biodiesel at its plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. It is also building another plant in Rostock, Germany, which will start producing 150,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year from October.
High crude oil prices have made biodiesel produced from vegetable oils, such as rapeseed and soy oil, even more attractive in Europe, where tax incentives in some countries have already stimulated eco-friendly, green fuels.
The European Union has seen an unprecedented rise in biodiesel capacity in the past three years - mainly in Germany and France - as governments promote green fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and crude oil bills.
Vopak, the world's largest independent tank storage company, has said it would like to strengthen its position in the growing world market of biofuels.
"This contract with Biopetrol marks for us a significant step. We are very pleased to host and be connected to the largest biodiesel plant in the Netherlands," said Rob Nijst, Division President Vopak Oil Europe, Middle East & Africa.
Vopak has biodiesel storage capacity in Hamburg and London and co-site projects for biodiesel plants in Houston, the United States and Darwin, Australia, the statement said.
The Rotterdam port, Europe's busiest, is the main European trading hub for vegetable oils.