DECEMBER 22, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Western BioFuels Ltd. is pleased to announce several items of progress in 2008, toward our goals of building a large capacity canola crush facility and development on 2nd Generation Renewable Diesel technology.
On December 16th, the County of Minburn in Vegreville, Alberta, approved a change in land use for Western BioFuels (WBF) property per its Area Structure Plan application for Industrial Use. This approval will allow WBF to begin the permitting process to build a large capacity canola crush plant at this site on the NE corner of Hwy 16 and 36, near Lavoy, AB. It is anticipated that construction of this facility will begin in late 2009.
Other achievements in 2008 involve government and private funding commitments. Earlier in the year, WBF was approved for funding of $225,000.00 from the BOPI program with the Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta. Recently, WBF has been approved for funding of $1,252,500.00 to assist in the development of proprietary 2nd Generation Renewable Diesel technology.
Agreements have been reached which will provide canola seed to the facility from the local community and allow the crushing facility to run at full capacity. Current Lab-scale 2nd Generation refining technology will begin expansion into a pilot scale plant in 2009. WBF’s goal is to have a commercial scale Renewable Diesel refinery running in Alberta in 2012.
Lastly, WBF has entered an agreement for investment and a long term off-take agreement for raw de-gummed canola oil purchase, with a partner in Europe.
During these increasingly challenging economic times, WBF is pleased with the progress made in 2008. As the economy begins to improve in the coming year, WBF is well positioned to begin construction and meet the future demands of renewable fuels.
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Details of each of these important relationships are confidential at this point but will be announced in the near future.
WBF applauds the Federal Governments support of Biofuels:
On May 28th, 2008, the Canadian Federal Government passed Bill C-33 which requires the blending of both Ethanol and Biodiesel for domestic use, starting in 2010 for Ethanol and 2012 for biodiesel.
The mandate for biodiesel is set at a minimum of 2% renewable content in diesel and heating fuel. Based on past statistics, this is estimated to require approximately 600 million litres of renewable diesel per year and is expected to increase in the near future. British Columbia has already adopted a mandate of 5% renewable content in their diesel by 2010.
On December 11, 2008, Alberta announced its own Renewable Fuel Strategy. An excerpt of the announcement follows;
"As part of clean energy production and encouraging renewable energy the strategy also recommends Alberta adopt a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). This new standard of five-per-cent ethanol in gasoline and two-per-cent renewable content in diesel by 2010 will help Alberta meet its climate change targets by reducing CO2 emissions by about one million tonnes annually, and will support Alberta’s renewable fuels sector and the technology development of next generation biofuels."
OCTOBER 19, 2006
Western BioFuels Ltd. acquires property in Lavoy, Alberta for the construction of Canada’s largest biodiesel refinery
Western Biofuels (WBF) of Calgary, AB announced that they have acquired 100 acres near Lavoy in the county of Minburn for the construction of a 2,000 tonne per day canola seed crushing facility and biodiesel refinery capable of producing 227 million litres (60 MMGY) of biodiesel per year. The construction completion date will be dependent on final engineering and permit approval.
Biodiesel is a renewable, alternative energy fuel, 100% compatible with petroleum diesel, which is produced from vegetable oils and/or animal fats. Biodiesel is then blended with regular diesel fuel in various ratios ranging from 2% to 20%. When available at the retail pumps, blended fuel will be identified as B5 (5% biodiesel) or B20 (20% biodiesel) for example. The resulting blended fuel can be used in unmodified diesel engines and improves air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The process for turning these feedstocks into biodiesel has been around for decades and in recent years has become a cost effective addition to the fuel market. Biodiesel is to petroleum diesel what Ethanol is to Gasoline.
At full capacity, this would be the largest biodiesel refinery announced in Canada, producing approximately 20% of the Countries mandated fuel blending requirements which will take effect in 2010. With a significantly sized canola crushing operation attached, WBF will be actively involved with suppliers and producers in the area and as a result will have a sufficient supply of canola seed to run the plant at full capacity.
The plant’s construction, to take place over an 18 to 24 month period, will create local employment for numerous trades-people. This facility will add a significant employment and revenue base for the County, creating up to 50 full time positions, the majority of whom will be employed in high-skilled positions.
Biodiesel from this facility will be based entirely on canola oil in order to maintain the highest levels of product quality possible. International fuel standards have been identified for biodiesel and Western BioFuels products will meet or exceed these standards for quality.
Located on the Northeast Corner of highway 16 and 36, these intersecting major highways are main arteries for the flow of canola and other grains from Saskatchewan and Alberta farmers. CN’s rail line runs the entire length of the property for east/west rail access, these factors make this an ideal location for such a facility.
Western BioFuels will be providing pre-blended fuels, ranging from B5 to B20 blends based on customer requirements, in mid to late 2007. B100, or 100% biodiesel is available in minimum quantities now.
Significant amounts of by-products will be produced at this plant which include canola meal and glycerine. Western BioFuels is involved in research and development which will enhance the market value of these products.
Western BioFuels is a privately held Canadian owned company. For more information on Western BioFuels and biodiesel, visit www.wbfuels.com
