German biodiesel group slams BP blending claims

23 August 2007 17:24  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS news)--Germany’s plan to increase biofuels blending targets in gasoline and diesel are very realistic and can be reached easily, contrary to claims by BP, biodiesel industry group Verband der Deutschen Biokraftstoffindustrie (VDB) said on Thursday.

 

BP had said on Wednesday that Germany’s plan to boost blending ratios in 2009 would be hard to reach with first-generation biofuels and more blending would entail significant technical problems in automotive gasoline and diesel engines.

 

Because of these technical issues German carmakers were also opposing higher blending targets, BP said, and it also noted the growing impact of first-generation biofuels on food supplies.

 

It would be much better to boost the role of hydro-treated vegetable oils, the company said and pointed to its joint venture in India to make biofuels from jatropha.

 

VDB rejected BP’s claims.

 

“The established first-generation biofuels have a strong performance record in terms of blending. Higher blending ratios will not impact car engines,” said VDB deputy head Karin Retzlaff.

 

Retzlaff said higher blending ratios could be easily met with existing capacities.

 

“The German government’s target of an overall 6.25% biofuels blending ratio in 2009 is very realistic,” she added.

 

VDB also disputed that hydro-treated vegetable oils were the way forward. Their use would imply imports of palm oil and could harm German biofuels makers and farmers, said Retzlaff.

 

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Author: Stefan Baumgarten
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