BDI Biodiesel launches sixth Spanish biodiesel plant at Ferrol

In Spain, BDI Biodiesel announced that it has commenced production at its 200,000 tonne biodiesel plant in Ferrol. The project, which cost $69 million, is the sixth plant opened by BDI in Spain; the others are in Barcelona, Huesca, Almeria and Sevilla provinces.

Spain background

In Spain, the CEO of Abengoa said that its Salamanca ethanol plant could remain closed “Frankly, forever,” unless Spain moves to implement the EU 5.75 percent biofuels mandate. In Spain, Abengoa said that it would open its planned 1.2 Mgy grain ethanol plant in Babilafuente, in central Salamanca province, but would not restart construction on a larger Babilafuente project doe to high feedstock prices and uncertain demand. The company continues to operate two plants in Coruna and Cartagena, and is building a 200,000 tonne biodiesel plant for Cepsa in San Roque, near Gibraltar.

Last December, Sniace delayed the opening of three ethanol plants in Spain and Poland after problems in obtaining construction permits. The plants will now be operational in 2009. The company will produce 57 Mgy of ethanol at two Spanish facilities, and 50 Mgy at its plant in Poland.

In October, Alcoholes Biocarburantes de Extremadura (Albiex) commenced construction of a 29 Mgy corn ethanol plant near Badajoz, which will also produce 87,000 metric tonnes of distillers grains for livestock feed. Total plant investment is $59 million and plant is expected to open in 2009.

In outside investment activity, three Spanish firms announced last December that they are planning investments in the Philippine biofuels industry. The announcements came in the wake of a state visit by Philippine President Arroyo to Spain.

Coromoto Comunicacion of Spain is considering the investment of $100 million in a jatropha biodiesel plant in southern Bukidnon. Abengoa Bionergy is investigating a $175 million project in Ozamis City. Green Fuel said it would invest up to $150 million in a biodiesel plant in Davao Oriental.

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