Commercial production of crude jatropha oil (CJO) has started at GEM BioFuels Plc, and the company expects to make its first shipment of CJO early next month, it was announced this week. Whilst the value of the initial shipment is, says the company, expected to be relatively small, the achievement of this milestone represents a significant point in the its evolution and growth towards becoming a commercial supplier of sustainable feedstock for the biodiesel industry.

First shipments of CJO to Europe and Australia, using 24,000 litre Flexi-tanks, are anticipated early next month where it will be used as straight vegetable oil fuel for power generation and as feedstock for biodiesel and chemical production.

Commenting on the announcement Paul Benetti, CEO of GEM BioFuels said: "The commencement of commercial Jatropha oil production is a landmark for the company and follows several years of development and refinement of our owner/manager operating model. This production as well as the higher than forecasted yields derived confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of the model. These yields as well as the introduction of some cost-reducing mechanisation in the plantation season, and GEM's years of experience, position the company well to continue its strategy of combining low-cost, sustainable agriculture with social responsibility to be a major future grower of Jatropha."