World's largest biodiesel plant in Singapore

[Garlic]

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../314761/1/.html

 

 

 

Finnish refiner to build world's largest biodiesel plant in S'pore

By Melvin Yong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 November 2007 1659 hrs

 

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore's biodiesel industry got a boost on Friday. Neste Oil, a refiner from Finland, said it has decided to invest nearly S$1.2 billion to build the world's largest biodiesel plant in Singapore.

 

In a statement, Neste said the plant will have a design capacity of 800,000 tonnes each year.

 

This will make it the largest facility producing diesel fuel from renewable feedstock anywhere. The plant will use mostly palm oil for raw material.

 

The company said it chose Singapore because it is the world's third-largest centre for oil refining.

 

Singapore is also a central location in terms of product and feedstock flows and logistics.

 

Neste believes this will give Singapore excellent potential to develop into a centre for Asian biofuel production.

 

The Economic Development Board will also support the investment by helping with research and development, as well as assisting with recruiting and training personnel.

 

Construction of the plant at Tuas will start in the first half of next year and it is due to be completed by the end of 2010.

 

The plant will be integrated into the area's existing industrial infrastructure, and will make use of local site utilities and port and storage services.

 

When operational, the plant will employ around 100 people.

 

Analysts say the move is positive for Singapore.

 

ABN AMRO Asia Securities' investment analyst Nirgunan Tiruchelvam said: "..... it places Singapore as a hub in the biodiesel industry. There has been a few other developments earlier this year and last year where other companies have set up biodiesel facilities in Singapore because of its superior logistics."

 

According to Neste, the use of biofuels is predicted to increase rapidly in developed economies over the next few years.

 

For now, though, analysts believe the plant's impact on Singapore's economy will be minimal.

 

ABN AMRO Asia Securities' Nirgunan Tiruchelvam said: "The production being anticipated in this biodiesel facility is a small percentage of the petroleum requirements of this country. So the impact on the Singapore economy per se will be quite minimal. However it may encourage other players in the biodiesel industry to ramp up capacity in Singapore." - CNA/ir

Edited December 1, 2007 by Garlic

[Apollo]

will the biodiesel b charged based on Horlick or Tat Ku?

 

[Shull]

no point for us leh..since registering diesel vehicle as private car is darn ex..

[Albeniz]

...S$1.2 billion to build the world's largest biodiesel plant in Singapore....

 

...When operational, the plant will employ around 100 people...

 

World largest plant!

Is 100 people enough?

 

Yet another world-class statement.

Edited December 1, 2007 by Albeniz

[Alpha78]

How many biodiesel plants now in the world? Obviously not many lah. So world's biggest at this point of time is possible, and compared to petroleum plant it's ikan bilis lah.

 

Oops... blew their cover.

[Ahhuat]

great news.. from what I've read, biodiesel might be the way of the future.. or at least a temporary fix for our world's ecological problems... whether it benefits my car or not.. im not really concerned for now... cos the erratic weather we're seeing is really telling of the toll we have to bear yrs down the road if we dont wisen up...

 

it's amazing how some ppl just dont care and all they care about is pump prices right now... cant really blame these ppl cos they're probably stupid.. with the way the world is going now... we honestly shouldnt have children cos the lives of our children and our children's children is gonna be sh!t! Im glad all i have to worry about are pump prices.. not happy.. sell the car.. take public transport... with the future generations.. they're gonna contend with global warming and pollution... our wrongs and they pay for it...