<\/p>\n
Z Energy has started construction on a south Auckland plant to convert meat waste into biofuel.<\/p>\n
The plant will produce 20 million litres of the fuel every year, but Z says that’s just the beginning of a green transition, if consumers want it.<\/p>\n
In a University of Auckland lab, Z is developing what it hopes will be a growing part of the fuel mix it offers customers. The New Zealand company is converting waste fat from the meat industry, a green tallow, into a high-grade mineral diesel substitute \u2013 clear in colour.<\/p>\n
Z says the biodiesel has a carbon footprint less than 10 percent the size of mineral diesel.<\/p>\n
“We recognise that the products that we sell actually cause climate change,” says Z Energy chief executive Mike Bennett. “There’s a clear link between that, so we believe the science. We think companies like ourselves should do something about that and we’re prepared to be a leader in that space.”<\/p>\n
The completed plant will make 20 million litres of biodiesel annually \u2013 still a small fraction of the 2.5 billion litres of fuel Z sells every year.<\/p>\n
It will be diluted to form 5 percent of a mineral diesel blend.<\/p>\n
“As far as New Zealand fuel legislation is concerned, a blend of 5 percent of biodiesel to mineral diesel is completely fine,” says Z Energy biofuels manager Steve Alesech. “What we’re working on is how we can increase those blends.”<\/p>\n
The fuel will initially be offered to commercial customers, who’ll pay 1 to 2 cents per litre more than pure mineral diesel for the privilege.<\/p>\n
Z hopes the higher price won’t put consumers off and says if people are happy to pay, it will produce more.<\/p>\n
“What we’re saying to New Zealanders is we want to make a difference here, and we’re prepared to invest,” says Mr Bennett.<\/p>\n
Gull already sells petrol with up to 10 percent biofuel blend made from byproduct whey in cheese processing. Christchurch company Green Fuels makes 500,000 litres of biodiesel from recycled cooking oil every year.<\/p>\n
Mr Bennett says Z is a transport fuel company, not a fossil fuel company, and that means he’s prepared to sell any type of fuel, including electricity, if it’s commercially viable.<\/p>\n
Initially the biodiesel will only be available for commercial customers, but Z says it hopes to have it available at the pump around the start of 2016.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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