Sustainable biofuels are now a reality

As increasing numbers of environmental and emissions targets are set by the Government and EU Commission, one company has claimed it can and is producing a truly sustainable biofuel.

This statement is in sharp contrast to comments made by George Monbiot who, writing in The Guardian this week, claimed apart from chip fat ‘there is no such thing as a sustainable biofuel’.

Regenatec who formed a partnership with CleanStar in October 2007 are quite convinced they can prove him and other sceptics wrong.

Quite simply the proof needed is of a working fuel system that works with existing vehicles and runs on fuel from plants grown ethically and sustainably, ideally on land that does not encroach on existing agricultural land.

This might seem like a tall order, but Regenatec director Mike Lawton, an engineer by trade was not deterred.

Mr Lawton was inspired to convert his car from a diesel to a pure plant oil car after numerous long distance journeys were costing him hundreds of pounds in fuel bills. He saved himself a substantial amount of money as well as reducing his carbon footprint by at least 80%, which is four times the government target for 2020.

Mr Lawton and his team at Regenatec, went on to develop the technology and applied it to trucks, buses and even boats. The technology can be fitted by one of Regenatec's approved fitting centres or, after training, can be fitted by a customer’s in-house mechanics. Regenatec also supply their commercial customers with bulk volumes of ethically sourced and sustainably produced plant oils such as rape seed oil and soya oil.

Using ethically sourced and sustainably produced soya and rape seed delivers significant benefits but they are still food crops. In October 2007 Regenatec joined forces with CleanStar, the producers of oil from a plant called Jatropha

The resultant organisation, known as RegenaStar, intends to be the first social, ethical and true sustainable biofuel business. RegenaStar combines the world class agro-biology skills of CleanStar with those of multi-award winning technology based Regenatec.

Jatrophia produces inedible oil and hence so far had not been cultivated. It likes to grow in arid climates, like India, Africa and the Middle East and thrives on uncultivated scrubland. Not only should it return wealth to some very poor parts of India, but it should also be cheaper than food based oils as well as deliver the carbon footprint reduction. 
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Complaints Officer - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £130.0000 per day
Complaints Officer - Harlow CouncilLocation, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6 Months Contract £101.37 PAYE / £130.00 Umbrella - daily rate Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Community Engagement Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£30,024 - £32,061
Do you want to play a key role in building stronger, healthier, and more cohesive and connected communities? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Community Administration Assistant

Wyre Borough Council
£26,824 - £28,598 (PRO RATA)
We are looking for a Community Administration Assistant to join our Leisure, Healthy Lifestyles & Communities team. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Contact Centre Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£25,185 - £26,403 (pro rata)
Our Contact Centre is looking to recruit a permanent member of staff to join our busy and customer-focused Contact Centre team. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Customer Insight and Complaints Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£37,280-£41,771
Excellent opportunity has become available for a Customer Insight & Complaints Officer Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner