Bt2-bn plant for jatropha processing

The plant will begin operating by the end of next year and be used in the production of biodiesel, said Curcas Energy (Thailand) managing director George White.

"Initially, 40,000 tonnes of jatropha seeds will be processed at the plant, and this will be turned into 10,000 tonnes of biodiesel," he said.

He said when the facility reached full production capacity, 400,000 tonnes of jatropha seeds would be processed to produce 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel.

Meanwhile, Curcas Energy (Thailand) signed a lease agreement for a 60-rai plot of land with C&N Centre for the construction of the plant and another deal with Jatropha Energy and Biomass for the purchase of jatropha seeds.

Established last year, the company's objective is to produce biodiesel in support of the government's alternative-fuel policy, said White.

In a related development, Jatropha Energy and Biomass marketing manager Veeravat Vivatvanich said due to rising diesel prices, the company was collaborating with Curcas Energy on research and development of jatropha-seed strains.

He said that at the beginning of the year, the company set up trials of jatropha plantations in Chiang Mai, Phayao, Lamphun, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Kalasin provinces. The company now has 1,600 contract farmers.

Veeravat said the company expected to grow 125 million jatropha trees next year and 300 million in 2010 but would fall short of this year's target of 100 million.