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New plant to boost Auckland bio-fuel industry

Gary Brockett.

A multi-million dollar Auckland plant that will produce diesel fuel made from a sustainable resource will be the largest of its kind in New Zealand.

The plant being built by Ecodiesel Ltd in Onehunga will use tallow to produce up to 20 million litres of biodiesel per year and create 23 full time jobs for engineers, chemists, lab technicians, plant operators and other skilled workers.

It will be the first commercial-scale biodiesel plant in New Zealand capable of producing biodiesel that meets the technical specifications required by major oil companies. The new plant builds on the company's experience at their pilot plant facility which has run successfully in Onehunga for more than two years.

Ecodiesel chief executive and founder, Gary Brockett, says "Ecodiesel has a sustainable competitive advantage in the market because the cost of converting tallow, which is purified animal fat, into biodiesel will be much lower than could be achieved using alternative international technologies that require more heat energy and capital.

"The purpose-built Ecodiesel facility on Captain Springs Road which is scheduled for completion in October is located close to the diesel and petrol storage and blending facilities operated by the major oil companies at Wiri."

Mr Brockett has spent 30 years developing and commercialising chemical technologies and processes in New Zealand and Australia.

"The plant also complements the operations of a number of Auckland and Waikato meat processing ventures which render animal products into tallow, and so local feedstock is available," he added.

"The Ecodiesel process can convert any animal, vegetable or waste fat to high-quality biodiesel and is therefore able to utilise a variety of feedstock sources available in New Zealand.

"To produce 20 million litres of biofuel, Ecodiesel would consume about 18,000 tonnes of tallow which represents about 14 per cent of the 130,000 tonnes of tallow exported from New Zealand each year."

"A 5 per cent blend of biodiesel with regular diesel is safe to use in all standard diesel engines with no modifications.

"The outlook for Ecodiesel is very positive given the global trend of growing demand for sustainable sources of energy and New Zealand's commitment to a green economy.

"The project has also had positive spinoffs for the local construction industry creating about 30 jobs and more will be created if the plant's capacity is doubled to 40 million litres at a later date."

In 2007, Ecodiesel raised $3 million in equity capital and is presently entertaining offers for expansion funding.

Updated March 2009