A REVITALISED refinery has again pushed sales higher at an energy firm – but bosses have warned further progress could be foiled by EU bureaucrats.

CropEnergies has called for immediate changes to the European Commission’s draft policy on transport, claiming existing proposals do nothing for renewable fuel operators.

The caution came after the business revealed its Ensus bioethanol plant, at Wilton, near Redcar, had played its part in another strong quarter, with work at the revived refinery lifting revenues and production levels.

The factory uses wheat to create bioethanol that is added to petrol though it has endured a chequered past, with falling prices and oil’s plummeting value previously forcing bosses into job cuts.

But Joachim Lutz, CropEnergies’ chief executive, says Ensus’ renaissance, made possible after trials were conducted to improve reliability, has given both the site and its overseer renewed confidence.

However, he said the European Commission could impair further progress, warning proposals to cut the amount of biofuels made from crops make no sense when it wants to increase alternative fuels’ market share.

He said: “The European Council decided greenhouse gas emissions have to be reduced by 40 per cent by 2030.

“However, this target can hardly be reached with the package of policy measures presented by the European Commission in November.

“In the last few years, the European bioethanol industry was able to increase greenhouse gas savings of ethanol from crops.

“But, instead of building on this, the draft of the European Commission proposes decreasing the share of biofuels made from crops from seven per cent in 2021 to a maximum of 3.8 per cent in 2030.

“There is reason to fear the draft would not lead to a decrease in the use of highly-efficient biofuels, which are already on the market.

“A development of alternative fuels can only be achieved in addition to – not instead of – established biofuel made from crops.”

Mr Lutz revealed Ensus’ input had pushed CropEnergies’ revenues in the first nine months of its financial year to £490m, compared to £484m last year, with third quarter earnings alone rising from £146m to £187m.

Overall bioethanol production across the company’s European operations went from 618,000 cubic metres to 735,000.

The remaining protein and grain from Ensus’ petrol process is used to make animal feed and carbon dioxide for the soft drinks and food market.

However, the site has endured a difficult history, with low demand, poor harvests, rising energy costs and even a bad smell previously forcing postponements and hindering production since 2010.