Biodiesel on sale at petrol stations

Malta's largest producer of biodiesel, the EORC Group in Marsa, has made inroads in the retail sector when it announced that biodiesel is now available in petrol stations in Ghaxaq, Kappara, Luqa, Marsa, Mellieha, Rabat and St Venera.

In line with its marketing strategy, the EORC Group will be enhancing its strategy to make biodiesel more accessible in all petrol stations in Malta and Gozo over the next few months.

Speaking about the availability of bio diesel at local petrol stations, EORC director Pippo Psaila said: "After many years of hard work to produce this environmental product, we are pleased to announce that biodiesel is no longer solely available from our station in Marsa, but a number of other petrol stations in Malta. This is a breakthrough and good news for consumers as well as Malta's environmental policy."

Mr Psaila added: "Biodiesel is not only good for the environment but, even more important, is good for the vehicles since it helps restore the lubricant properties of diesel, which in low sulphur diesel could be the cause of major problems. Biodiesel has excellent lubricant properties, improves engine performance and, above all, is environmentally friendly. However, it is important to source the product from reputable companies who can guarantee that the product conforms with the approved product specifications EN 14214. This will ensure that the product is of a high standard, which is critical for retailers and heavy users. To date, EORC have surpassed the 2005 sales figures by some 10 per cent and this augurs well for this environmentally friendly product.

"Biodiesel and biofuels are on the world agenda for various reasons, among which is the real threat of global warming, which is why all nations in all continents are investing heavily in this alternative clean burning fuel. In Malta, the Government has been very sympathetic to these changes in fuel usage and has provided incentives to industry in various ways, the latest of which is the green procurement policy announced last week."

Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel produced from vegetable oils and fats which, in the majority, EORC sources locally. To produce biodiesel EORC is using waste oils and fats, which would otherwise have been disposed of in the waste stream, causing an environmental hazard costing the country hundreds of thousands of liri to clean up and dispose of.