Napier University, in Scotland, launched its new biofuels facility, the Biofuel Research Centre (BfRC) today (10th December). The BfRC, claimed by the university to be the first of its kind in the UK, is led by Dr Martin Tangney, and is committed to researching and developing second-generation biofuel from a potentially diverse range of non-food crops and waste matter.

As an expert in the biological production of butanol, Dr Tangney has already secured £500,000 in research funding to study biofuel and is establishing the centre to act as a portal between industry, government, academia and the public; giving accurate and consistent messages across all relevant parties.

Martin said: “We are delighted with the support we have already been given. A number of influencers are attending the launch, many of whom have already engaged with the centre.”

The UK Road Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) requires five per cent of all UK fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from a renewable source by 2010, while the EU Biofuels Directive sets “reference values” of a 5.75 per cent market share for biofuel.

Speaking at the launch, David Cairns, Minister of State at the Scotland Office said: "While the global production of biofuels is doubling every few years, there have been negative impacts on biodiversity, food prices and carbon emissions as land has been inappropriately cleared to plant first-generation crops.  There are already innovative projects in Scotland trialling biofuels from more sustainable sources than food crops such as waste material, but of course more research and development needs to be done.  I am therefore delighted to be at the launch of this innovative centre today and to hear more about its work programme which has already attracted interest from around the world."