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Global Commodities UK Ltd, the largest producer of biodiesel in the United Kingdom, from the first purpose built factory based at Shipdham, Norfolk, is set to significantly expand its output. The company already produces in excess of 10 mln litres of biodiesel a year, and unlike most other competitors who import biodiesel from abroad, Global Commodities is promoting its driveECO biodiesel as supporting British industry and the domestic farming community.
The company now supplies its biodiesel fuel to both haulage companies and garage forecourts. So great has been the recent upsurge of demand for biodiesel in Britain, that Global Commodities is shortly to expand its operation, with the purchase of an additional plant at Lowestoft in the neighbouring county of Suffolk. This will enable a production increase to over 180 mln litres a year. However, the plant at Shipdham, Norfolk, will continue as the company's research and development laboratory. This was the first purpose built factory of its kind to be launched in England. Global Commodities is also the only fuel company to be granted a low emission IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) permit by the UK Environment Agency, setting the standard that other fuel companies will be required to adhere to in the future. IPPC is the system of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Its aim is to prevent emissions and waste production and where this is not practical reduce them to acceptable levels.
Global Commodities was formed in January 2001, after one year of extensive research into the use of biodiesel. Following a further year of research and development, driveECO biodiesel was launched on the market in February 2002. In November 2002 driveECO biodiesel was rolled out to garage forecourts across East Anglia. driveECO is made from renewable resources such as vegetable oil, and is sold in a 5% mix with 95% conventional diesel to comply with EN590, which is the European standard for diesel. Global's market potential is vast, covering local authorities, haulage contractors, independent fuel suppliers, inland waterways and other diesel vehicles. More recently driveECO biodiesel has been launched throughout the UK. The company is also developing several other environmentally friendly products such as a Pesticide (pestECO) and hydraulic and penetrating oil.
Global Commodities says that among the main benefits of using driveECO biodiesel are that no engine modifications are required; that it enhances fuel economy; it reduces the emission of harmful pollutants into the environment; it is non-toxic and bio-degradable and also reduces engine wear. It adds that driveECO can be used in diesel engines without any modifications and the biodiesel fuel also easily mixes in all proportions with conventional diesel. To confirm it's viability driveECO has undergone vigorous testing both at Global's in-house laboratory and by independent research to analyse the relevant components to determine that the product complies with the standards laid down for diesel/bio-diesel blends.
After much intensive lobbying, Chancellor Gordon Brown reduced the excise duty on biodiesel by 20 pence a litre, which came into effect in July 2002. However, most industry analysts, producers and farmers argue that to kick-start production of biodiesel from* virgin oil requires an additional reduction of at least 10 pence a litre. Dennis Thouless, Managing Director of Global Commodities, and one of the leading international authorities on biodiesel, has pioneered the local biofuels revolution. He continues to influence and lobby parliament for further reductions in excise duty. "I will not be satisfied until I see my vision fulfilled of placing England firmly on the map as a market leader in biodiesel, environmentally friendly fuel. We have the capability of turning set-a-side land into the "oilfields of the future". This is a phrase that I coined and I firmly believe in. To make this dream a reality for farmers, we need to see another reduction in excise duty which will also allow us a level playing field with our European neighbours".
A European Union Directive demands that 2% of all diesel consumed must be of a bio-degradable nature by 2005, rising to 5.75% by 2010. To achieve the 2% target requires 368 mln litres of environmentally friendly fuel to be produced, giving Global Commodities the potential to achieve a 50% market share, once its new plant in Lowestoft becomes fully operational, said Managing Director Dennis Thouless.
*virgin rapeseed oil
From Bioenergy Review - 2003
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