Bayer, ADM, Daimler to develop jatropha biofuels

09 January 2008 12:17  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Bayer CropScience, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and auto-maker Daimler have signed an agreement to develop the production and quality standards of jatropha-based biodiesel, Bayer said on Wednesday.

 

Jatropha, a tropical crop which can be grown on marginal land, is seen by the three companies as a promising alternative energy feedstock for sustainable fuel as it does not compete with land used for food production.

 

Bayer CropScience said it planned to develop and register herbicides, soil insecticides and fungicides for disease and pest control of jatropha plants.

 

ADM operates several biodiesel refineries worldwide.

 

Daimler completed a five-year research project on the use of the crop in biodiesel production and is exploring interactions between fuel and engines in vehicles powered by jatropha biodiesel.

 

The companies have signed a joint memorandum of understanding to explore the potential for developing the biofuels industry based on the plant, which could be grown on a large scale in South America, Africa and countries in Asia.

 

Bookmark Simon Robinson's Big Biofuels Blog for some independent thinking on biofuels

By: Mark Watts
+44 20 8652 3214

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