Finnish oil major eyes Indian jatropha

Jatropha, a wonder plant grown in India, might soon fuel cars in Europe with Finnish oil and refining major Neste Oil considering importing it for its upcoming bio-diesel plants.

‘We are continuously looking for ways to expand our raw material base for NExBTL (the second generation bio-diesel developed by Neste), and in this search the non-edible jatropha is very interesting,’ said Neste Oil president and CEO Risto Rinne here.
‘Currently, Neste Oil has no ongoing projects in India but with its vast population and proactive bio-fuel targets, India is an attractive future market opportunity for Neste Oil’s NexBTL renewable diesel,’ he told visiting Indian journalists.

Neste Oil, the third largest company in Finland with a 50.1 percent government stake, is coming up with its first bio-diesel plant in May this year and aims to emerge as the world’s leading bio-diesel company besides running its traditional oil refining business.

‘India is a rather new thing for us but we can buy Jetropha Curcas from India to begin with,’ said Osmo Kammonen, senior vice-president, communications, Neste Oil.

Jatropha Curcas is the wonder plant that produces seeds with an oil content of 37 percent. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with a clear smoke-free flame and has been tested successfully as a fuel for the simple diesel engine.

‘More than 50 percent of new European Union (EU) cars are diesel cars and so we want to gear up to produce more diesel,’ said Kammonen.

Earth Times