Naturol BioEnergy’s maiden shipment of 10000 tonnes of biodiesel is ready to leave for Europe from the port city Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, India and it is expected to leave around June 22, 2008 as per the laycan indicated by the buyer. This is the largest and the first shipment of Naturol biodiesel out of India procured by a large European buyer.

The USD 31 million, 100% EOU Plant conceived by Naturol BioEnergy is India’s first fully integrated Oleochemical complex with a capacity to produce 30 million gallons per year (MGPY) of biodiesel and allied products from multi feedstock such as palm crude, rapeseed, jatropha, pongamia and vegetable oil. Located strategically in the port city of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Naturol incorporates Desmet Ballestra’s technology, a world leader in the fields of engineering and supply of plants and equipment for the Oleochemical and biodiesal industry.

Making the announcement, Bhaskar Chalsani, CEO of Naturol Bio Energy, said “Naturol’s first shipment to Europe promises a solid start for achieving our vision of creating a major source for biodiesel to consumers around the world.” As people and their governments become increasingly concerned by the environment, green energy holds lot of promise and favor, while the cost of traditional fuel continues to rise. Bhaskar is confident, the successful commencement of it commercial production and the acknowledgement of Naturol biodiesel produce by a major European buyer will help Naturol realize its goal to become the world's most preferred Bio diesel resource.

Naturol has a production capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes per year (TPY) of pharmaceutical grade glycerin and the domestic and international markets have appreciated the quality of the product and market penetration is satisfactory.

“The Governments are grappling in almost every country as to how to best respond to climate change and discover alternative fuels that can substitute conventional fuel. For the industry and the biodiesel market Naturol’s shipment is timely and holds great promise in the future.” C.S. Bhaskar said.

“An important feature of our technology is its sustainability and the diverse multi-feedstock manufacturing capability. We have been able to successfully integrate and synchronize the first of its kind multiple process centers in our facility especially the pre treatment process and esterification methodology which is the first of its kind in the world.”

Located strategically in Kakinada SEZ, Naturol is funded by a syndicate of VC investors and financial institutions. Its investment participants include UTI VCF, Venture East Fund including SIDBI VC, IDBIL, NABARD, Andhra Bank, Central Bank of India, LIC, ICICI Bank, Andhra Bank and Axis bank.

The company is structured as a 100% Export Oriented Unit enabling tariff free imports and tax concessions. The plant is equipped to handle a variety of feedstock – Rapeseed Oil, Jetropha, Palm and has established highly capable effluent treatment plant. It has also laid an 8 km long pipeline from the plant to the port for enabling timely shipment and avoid contamination of its produce to the global market.

To address raising domestic requirements Naturol has written to relevant Indian government departments offering Naturol Biodiesal product for domestic consumption. It is awaiting approval / permissions for domestic sales through Indian oil retail majors.

Naturol has ensured their products meet the global quality and certification standards Naturol have met the strict American ASTM D 67516 and European EN 14214 specifications certified by International Accreditators such as SGS and Intertek Calebrett, UK. The Pharmaceutical Grade Glycerin – certified for Kosher and Halal and quality certified by SGS and Intertek Calebrett, UK.

Apart from its capability to use multi feedstock, Naturol’s focus is to cultivate and use Jatropha feedstock extensively in the near future. The company foresees jatropha oil as the most promising and sustainable Biodiesal feedstock for the future. To realize the dream of generating Jetropha and Pongamia feedstock Naturol has initiated efforts to encourage farming in Andhra Pradesh by helping farmers source the saplings from Naturol Nursery as well as imparting the know how.

Naturol is also aggressively pursuing backward integration opportunities in Palm and Jatropha with a global footprint and by partnership model to enable complete captive sourcing of the required feed stocks in years to come.

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About Naturol BioEnergy

Naturol BioEnergy is an Integrated Oleochemical and biodiesel products producer that lays strong emphasis on 100% export utilization of feedstock. The USD 31 million Project went into commercial production recently. It has the potential to create 12 thousand jobs in Agro sector considering 2 people for every 30 acres.

Naturol BioEnergy project is based on the model, which countries like Brazil have adopted successfully helping the agro-business turn highly profitable. Initially, Naturol aims to turn 1,20,000 hectares of dry wastelands into productive land by encouraging energy crops for captive consumption. The company also intends to cover as many dry wastelands across the state and build farmers confidence to cultivate energy crops in the state.

To know more about Naturol you may visit http://www.naturol-bio.com

PR for Naturol BioEnergy
Sheela Panicker - Enright Media Relations
09498 09594 enRight@enrightpr.com