A TEESSIDE company that produces environmentally-friendly fuel is to address a European conference promoting the use of "green" biofuels.

The British Association For Biofuels and Oils (BABFO) conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, in London, on Thursday, will attract biofuel manufacturers and users, regulators, Government officials and interest groups from all over Europe.

Petroplus marketing director Dr Stephen Thomason will be delivering a paper on the company's successful Bio-Plus biodiesel, which has seen a rapid growth in demand since a £250,000 investment at the Petroplus North Tees facilty in April last year.

The company can produce 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes a month of Bio-Plus - a blend of the company's Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) and oils from a variety of renewable sources.

The result is a fuel that reduces emissions of environmentally damaging greenhouse gases from exhausts. Petroplus has about 60 per cent of the UK biodiesel market share.

The European Union is pressing for more fuels - petrol and diesel - to be made using renewable sources by next year.

Rigorous testing on the company's fleet of road tankers, which travel about 20 million miles a year on Britain's roads, has shown improved fuel efficiency and no engine or driver problems.

Bio-Plus is used in Safeway road tankers throughout the North-East, on regional bus operator Go North East's vehicles and in those owned by Bradford Council. A marketing drive is under way to encourage other commercial users to use the fuel.

Mr Thomason said: "We are extremely proud of our product and encouraged by the expansion of biodiesel generally. If the demand continues to rise we have the capacity to expand Bio-Plus production much further."

Published: 20/01/2004