Global demand for biodiesel will grow strongly

Matti Lievonen, CEO of the world's leading biodiesel producer, Knighte Oil, recently stated that by 2020, global biodiesel demand will increase dramatically from the current 10 million tons to 35 million tons per year, of which Europe will consume about 20 million. Tonnes/year of renewable biodiesel, increasingly stringent environmental regulations in Europe are driving the rapid growth of green fuel demand in the region, and the rest of the world will consume about 15 million tons/year of renewable biodiesel.

Lievonen said that the demand for renewable energy in Asia will also grow strongly. It is expected that the population of Asia will increase by 1 billion by 2030 and energy demand will increase by 50%. In particular, demand for biofuels, solar energy and wind energy will grow strongly.

Nestlé Petroleum has invested 550 million euros in Singapore to build a new 800,000-ton/year biodiesel plant, and invested 670 million euros in a new 800,000-ton/year biodiesel plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Singapore plant is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2010, and the Rotterdam plant is expected to be completed and put into operation in mid-2011. Both units will use Nasrid Oil's NExBTL patented technology.

Currently Nestlé Petroleum has two biodiesel plants in Porvoo, Finland, with a total capacity of 380,000 tons per year.