EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FORMED TO PROMOTE AND STANDARDISE WASTE TO RENEWABLE BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

1. Contact: Michael Fiedler-Panajotopoulos<br /> mpanajotopoulos@w2rb.eu<br /> +49 172 4254584<br />EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FORMED TO PROMOTE AND STANDARDISE WASTE TO RENEWABLE BIODIESEL PRODUCTION<br />Brussels, September 14th 2011<br />Four major European waste to biodiesel producers, each representing a different country, have announced the formation of The European Waste to Renewable Biodiesel Association (WtoRB).<br />The founding members are Veolia Environmental Services (France), Petrotec Biodiesel AG (Germany), DP Lubrificanti (Italy), and Bionet (Spain). <br />“WtoRB is one of the most environmentally and technically efficient industries contributing to European policy on climate change and security of energy supply but it is less visible due to its niche position in the advanced biofuels market,” said Michael Fiedler-Panajotopoulos, the president of the new association.<br />“Waste management obligations and provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive give the WtoRB sector a unique nature,” he said. “Consequently, it is essential to ensure that the legal framework will clearly address the sector-related issues and to establish a direct dialogue with the institutions and other stakeholders.”<br />The purpose of the new association will be to provide a platform for European companies to present their views and raise awareness of the existence and need for waste to biodiesel production, and to develop and enforce standards for its safe, law-abiding and environmentally sound processes, according to EU regulations.<br />Members of the association will be expected to agree on the following charter:<br />WASTE HANDLED<br />Members deal with biowaste from which it is possible to produce biodiesel and agree on an exhaustive list of biowaste.<br />TRACEABILITY<br />Members provide sufficient information in order to ensure transparency of the waste treatment chain from the producer/holder to the final waste recovery plant producing biodiesel.<br />Members obtain a waste permit in order to handle biowaste and operate dedicated plants for it<br />Members ensure that biowaste is not mixed or diluted with other waste or product with the aim of changing the quality of the end product (biodiesel) or to benefit from double counting advantages<br />TREATMENT QUALITY<br />Members operate biodiesel production plants specifically designed for biowaste treatment<br />Members market on-spec biodiesel according to the European Norm EN 14214<br />“European and national incentives are inducing the export of used edible oils all over the world due to speculation, and the mixing of biowaste with other materials without controlling feedstock that reaps tax advantages from double counting,” Nicolas Humez from Veolia said.<br />“WtoRB will provide solutions in order to ensure high standards in the waste to biodiesel production and to warrant a high level of environmental protection,”Augusto Parodi from D.P. Lubrificanti said. <br />Javier Vila-Corcoles outlined the road map of the WtoRB association during the next months:<br />Enforcement of traceability and adoption of a blending ban at feedstock level in order to tackle taxation fraud and low quality biodiesel production,<br />Definition of waste and residues suitable for biodiesel production taking into account sustainability and technical feasibility, and<br />Bringing together all waste to biodiesel companies who agree to comply with the charter.<br /># # #<br />This press release is also available for download online at: http://www.slideshare.net/WtoRB/wt-9461311<br />