Press Release

Nexant Examines Next-Generation Biodiesel Technologies

This news item was posted on Nov 12, 2008

Asian Biodiesel Producers See Profits Rise as Palm Oil Prices Drop

Singapore---November 12, 2008---In its latest Process Evaluation and Research Program (PERP) report—The Development of Biodiesel Production Technologies—Nexant examines the state of both existing first-generation biodiesel technologies as well as promising second-generation technologies that are now under development.

The Nexant report is particularly timely for Asian biodiesel producers, who are enjoying an upturn in profitability as palm oil prices drop from record highs-despite increasing uncertainty in many other industry sectors.

Following the initial wave of biodiesel investments, current first-generation technologies have already approached the limits of feedstock availability without further compromising food supply and security. In response, emphasis has turned to the development of a number of new technologies, some of which are still in the early stages of commercialization.

The report analyzes key features, production costs, economics, and commercial viability of several of these new technologies, including AXENS-IFP's Esterfip-H and Neste's NExBTL processes. In addition, the report examines:

• Hydrotreating of vegetable oils and animal fats to produce renewable diesel
• Second-generation technologies that have capabilities to process feedstocks that do not compete with food crops, such as biomass-to-liquids conversions
• Fischer-Tropic synthesis via biomass gasification