Bio Energy Resources of Malawi planning $18M jatropha biodiesel plant

In Malawi, Bio Energy Resources of Malawi is planning an $18 million facility to convert jatropha seeds to biodiesel.  Lourie Webb, CEO of Bio Energy states that his company will start trial runs prior to commercial production in 2016.  Webb is quoted as having stating that Bio Energy has 30,000 farmers to grow jatropha.  There is no further information regarding the facility capacity or acreage of jatropha plantings anticipated.

Bio Energy Resources Ltd. of Malawi plans to build an $18 million plant to produce bio-fuels from jatropha seeds, the Daily Times reported, citing Chief Executive Officer Lourie Webb.

The company plans to start trial output in the final quarter of the year before commercial production starts in 2016, the Blantyre-based newspaper said, citing Webb. Bio Energy has signed up 30,000 farmers to grow jatropha around the southern African nation, the Times said.

Seed harvested from jatropha trees yields oil that can be used in the manufacture of biodiesel.

Bio Energy Resources Ltd. (BERL) is a Malawian company that was established in 2006 with the sole purpose of developing bio-energy production on a commercial basis within a sustainable framework. BERL is promoting planting of Jatropha curcas as feed stock for the production of biofuel. Production of Jatropha is through contract growing with smallholder farmers and commercial growers