Eight biodiesel manufacturers in The Netherlands have set up the Netherlands Biodiesel Industry Association (Vereniging Nederlandse Biodiesel Industrie, VNBI) it was announced today (25th October).  The total annual production capacity of all of the companies combined will be 1.5 million tons, which will enable the Netherlands to replace at least 10% of mineral diesel with biodiesel as early as 2009, said the VNBI.

The new association is hoping to generate political support for environmentally friendly biodiesel and will focus attention on two core issues: reducing CO2 emissions and reducing dependency on petroleum.

 In cooperation with such parties as the government, oil companies and environmental groups, the VNBI says it aims to strike a balance between the use of and sustainability of biodiesel. It will invest time and money in order to guarantee the fuel's sustainability and – in response to the report of the Cramer Commission – take the lead in its further development.

VNBI Chairman Uwe Jurgensen of Biopetrol Rotterdam: 'It is important to send out a clear message. The establishment of the VNBI is a big step in the wider context of introducing biofuels in the Netherlands. Before now, each manufacturer worked alone, but acting in concert will lend speed to promoting the responsible use and development of biofuels.'

The founders of the VNBI are: Biodiesel Kampen BV, Biopetrol Rotterdam BV, Biovalue Holding BV, Clean Energy BV, Dutch BioDiesel BV, J & S BioEnergy BV, Rosendaal Energy BV en Sunoil Biodiesel BV.