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| Argent Energy reaches industry milestone with biodiesel distribution contract |
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| Sunday, 28 May 2006 | |
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UK-based Argent Energy, today announces the extension of its partnership with refining, storage and distribution major Petroplus that will see more biodiesel meeting full European standards available to businesses and consumers across the country. The deal is the largest of its kind and will take immediate effect, marking a significant milestone for both the industry and Argent Energy.
Under the agreement, Argent Energy will supply Petroplus with a minimum of 41.5 million litres of quality biodiesel in 2006, quadrupling the output supplied to Petroplus in 2005 and not taking production levels for other customers into account. The biodiesel will be taken to Grangemouth and Teesside and blended with 95% mineral diesel and marketed under the Petroplus ‘Bio-plus’ brand to the UK commercial diesel market and to selected filling station forecourts. It requires no changes to the logistics of the fuel supply chain or to vehicle engines.
Andy Hunter, managing director at Argent Energy, comments on the deal: “The expansion of our production levels for Petroplus to at least 41.5 million litres this year marks a new chapter in the growth of this company. We are able to commit to producing high volumes of quality biodiesel today and are the first company in the UK biodiesel sector to be able to offer such reliability. In January, our biodiesel accounted for 43% of total UK sales and this figure will rise to over 50% this month.
“Our next goal is to increase total production capacity and we expect to make some announcements in this respect shortly.”
Dr. Stephen Thomason, marketing director of Petroplus, adds: “Our partnership with Argent Energy has allowed us to extend the availability of our Bio-plus product and today’s announcement means that we can reach even more businesses and consumers. The UK is undoubtedly starting to embrace renewable fuels and as the general understanding of these products grows, so will the demand. Argent Energy will continue to play a lead role in satisfying that demand”. The two firms have been working together since production began in April last year at Argent Energy’s Motherwell plant, the largest plant in the world producing biodiesel from the wholly recycled waste materials of tallow and Used Cooking Oil (UCO).
David Smith, Singapore
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