INatural Fuel, a global group
of renewable energy
companies headquartered
in Western Australia, announced
recently that they have chosen
Singapore as its site for their
state-of-the-art biodiesel
production facility. Expected to be
the largest biodiesel facility in the
world, it is currently undergoing
construction on Jurong Island,
Singapore's petrochemical hub and
scheduled to begin production by
the end of 2007.
Commenting on the decision to
site their facility in Singapore,
Richard Selwood, MD and CEO,
Natural Fuel says, "Singapore, with
its strategic location, excellent
logistics and experience in the
petrochemical industry can play a
pivotal role as a regional hub for
the biofuels industry, in the
same manner it has succeeded
with petrochemicals."
Built over three phases, Natural
Fuel's facility will have an annual
production capacity of 600,000
metric tonnes (700 million litres) of
biodiesel upon the completion of
its first phase slated for the end of
2007. Once the facility is fully
functional, it has the potential to
produce up to 1.8 million metric
tonnes of biodiesel (1.9 million
litres) annually.
Biodiesel is the key to fuel and
environmental conservation as it is
biodegradable, non-toxic and able
to reduce up to 78 per cent carbon
monoxide emissions while offering
similar fuel economy as compared
to petroleum diesel.
"Natural Fuel's new plant
represents one of the largest single
manufacturing investments from
Australia to date.Natural Fuel's
choice of Singapore validates
Singapore's value proposition as a
location with access to regional
feedstock, comprehensive trade
links and beneficial international
agreements," notes Lim Siong Guan,
Chairman, Singapore Economic
Development Board (EDB).
Leveraging Singapore's
position as the world's third largest
oil refinery centre and the growing
awareness of the benefits of
biodiesel, Natural Fuel's new facility
is expected to be well equipped to
cope with the increasing
global demand..
....CONTD
