Diester’s biodiesel production drops 21 percent for 2011

In France, biodiesel producer Diester’s 2011 production fell 21%, down from its original estimates of 15% lower than the year before. Production reached 1.3 million metric tons rather than the 1.9 million tons it should have because of France’s double-counting policy where biofuels made from waste count twice.

The same policy exists in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. A new ruling in France will set a limit of 0.35% for fuel that can be double-counted, which the company hopes will boost demand for 2012.