Thursday, May 6, 2004. 7:00am (AEST)

Production to begin on environmentally-friendly fuel.


Australia's first large-scale operation to produce an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel fuel is expected to be operating in Adelaide by early next year.
Biodiesel is produced from animal fats and vegetable oils, such as canola and soy.

Backers of the plant to be built at Birkenhead in Adelaide's north-west say they will start with an annual production target of 45-million litres.
Australian Renewable Fuels managing director Darryl Butcher says it is a significantly cleaner fuel than diesel.
"The quoted nasty carcinogens in diesel exhaust are reduced by 80 and 90 per cent," he said.
"If you're using 100 per cent biodiesel there just simply isn't any black smoke coming out of the exhaust regardless of how old the engine is, [it's] just a much cleaner and healthier burning fuel."