If you thought that stories about budget-conscious motorists powering their cars on used chip fat were just tabloid hype, think again. A plant which converts spent fats and cooking oils collected from fast food and other establishments into usable fuel - known as biodiesel - has been announced by Argent Energy following a £10m deal with Austrian manufacturer BioDiesel International (BDI). The project is to be located in Scotland and initially expects to produce 50m litres of fuel per year. It will be capable of processing most oils and fats, whether they are saturated or unsaturated, and will be the largest of its type in the world. Construction begins in Spring 2003.
Biodiesel can be used as a motor fuel either in pure form or more commonly as a blend with mineral diesel. It is anticipated that it will be sold in a blended form in the UK and will meet the requirements of both existing and foreseen fuel standards and engine manufacturers' warranty requirements. For caterers, the message is clear: all those nasty residues in the deep fat fryer are no longer just a disposal headache.
Argent Energy