BioDiesel Technologies supplies processing unit for Brazil's first jatropha project

Brazil’s first commercial jatropha biodiesel project goes into operation this month following the delivery of BioDiesel Technologies’ (BDT) processing unit. BDT will deliver an additional four processing units to increase the plant's annual capacity to 40,000 tonnes by the end of 2007.

The Compact Production Unit (CPU) 1000, which is installed in a 20-foot ISO container, is designed to use oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin, or used edible oils. It produces 1,000 liters of biodiesel per hour (8 million liters per year).

Project operator Companhia Productora de Biodiesel de Tocantins has formed agreements with local cooperatives and small farmers in the state of Tocantins to supply the biodiesel facility with the required feedstock under the 'Social Fuel Seal' policy. This has led to the establishment of 48,000 hectares of jatropha plantation. The drought-tolerant shrub, known locally as pinhão manso, thrives in poor soils with relatively low inputs of fertilizer and pesticides.

The multi-feedstock technology provided by BDT will also allow the use of animal tallow for the manufacture of biodiesel. This could prove to be a significant source of income to the large slaughter-house industry within the Tocantins state, which has more than 6 million head of cattle.

'Social fuel'
This operation, bringing local agricultural communities into the biofuel production process, is the model upon which future Biodiesel operations in Brazil will be constructed; hence President Lula will show his support when he inaugurates the project in September. Under Brazil's Pro-Biodiesel plan the country introduced mandatory blends of 2% by 2008 and 5% by 2013.

Under the 'Social Fuel Seal' policy Brazil has implemented numerous tax incentives for biodiesel producers that source their feedstock from local farming communities. The system already brings increased incomes and food security to some 60,000 rural households and ensures that biodiesel is produced in a socially sustainable way:
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The 'Social Fuel Seal' is tied to Brazil's National Biodiesel Program, and was crafted precisely to break with the problems inherent in the older Bioethanol Program. The Seal is quite refined and directly intervenes in the most crucial aspect of biodiesel production: feedstock costs and modes of production. The system takes into account regionally determined social inequalities and the geographically specific agro-ecological potential for biodiesel feedstock production. It can become a model for other developing countries aiming to launch biofuel programs (earlier post).

Compahnhia Productora de Biodiesel de Tocantins is examining project sites for a further two projects within the region, taking total regional production to more than 120,000 tons of biodiesel per year.

BDT, a biodiesel equipment manufacturer and project developer based in Austria, has 17 multi-feedstock projects operating in 10 countries worldwide.

References:
Greencarcongress: BioDiesel Technologies Launching First Commercial Jatropha Biodiesel Project in Brazil - August 8, 2007

Biopact: An in-depth look at Brazil's "Social Fuel Seal" - March 23, 2007