Ross Finnie, Scottish minister for environment and rural development, today (Tuesday 15 August 2006) visited Motherwell’s Argent Energy – the UK’s first large scale biodiesel plant.
During the visit, the minister was shown Argent’s state of the art production process which recycles tallow and used cooking oil, which are by-products of the agricultural and food industries, into a clean, green road fuel. The plant is also capable of converting virgin oils, such as rapeseed oil, into biodiesel.
The plant has been in production since March 2005 and can now supply a significant proportion of the biodiesel used in the UK.
Jim Walker, vice chairman of Argent Energy, welcomed the minister. He said: “Scotland has led the way in the UK by pioneering the commercial production of biodiesel. One of the reasons we chose to locate our plant here was the support and encouragement shown by the Scottish Executive. I am delighted that the minister has been able to see for himself the progress we have made.”
Ross Finnie said:” Argent Energy is producing a valuable and environmentally beneficial commodity from by-products and I have been impressed by what I have seen during my visit.
"By adding value to animal by-products in this way, Argent is helping
displace the use of fossil fuels through renewable energy and is
contributing to building a sustainable livestock industry in Scotland.”
Ends
For further information, contact:
Maria Limonci, Maria Limonci Public Relations
t: 0131 332 6226, m: 07756 163 186
Key Facts
- Argent Energy’s biodiesel plant is the result of a £15 million investment and has attracted £1.2 million in Regional Selective Assistance supported by the Scottish Executive.
- The plant is capable of producing 50 million litres of biodiesel per year.
- Argent Energy’s biodiesel is being produced to BS EN 14214 – the European standard for biodiesel.
- It is available in a blend of 5 per cent biodiesel to 95 per cent mineral diesel, so no changes are required to the logistics of the fuel supply chain or to vehicle engines. It’s good for engines and the environment. It improves engine lubrication, it burns more completely thereby reducing emissions, it’s virtually sulphur free and can deliver increased engine life. Above all biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide – the main gas responsible for global warming.
- The UK government has announced that a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation is to be introduced. This will require 2.5 per cent of all fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from renewable sources by 2008, with the percentage rising to 3.75 in 2009 and 5 per cent in 2010.
- Under a European Union-funded research programme, the manufacture of biodiesel from tallow and used cooking oil in the Argent Energy plant and its subsequent use as a road fuel has been assessed by the Technical University of Graz for its environmental impact. The study showed that it is much more environmentally-friendly than both mineral diesel and biodiesel produced from other raw materials, e.g. rapeseed oil. Argent Energy’s Motherwell plant can displace around 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, having a significantly positive impact upon the environment.
