Andrew White from Australian Renewable Fuels, Minister Richard Dalla-Riva and Shell vice-president Andrew Smith at the launch. 82234 Picture: SUPPLIED
SHELL officially opened a new biodiesel facility at its Newport terminal last week.
The new state-of-the-art facility has enabled Shell to launch BioDiesel 20 into the Australian market, a world first for the company.
Shell’s new B20 diesel fuel will be offered to Shell’s commercial customers, initially from its Newport terminal in Melbourne.
The biofuel component of Shell BioDiesel 20 is being sourced from an Australian bio-component producer Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) based in Barnawartha in regional Victoria.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva officiated at the launch, which was held at the terminal.
“Shell’s investment in this facility will give people in Victoria greater access to biodiesel produced in regional Victoria, which will support jobs and investment and expand the local biofuels industry,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
Shell Vice-President of Downstream Australia, Mr Andrew Smith, said the launch represented one of the largest projects Shell had undertaken at its Newport terminal in 10 years.
“It is also tremendous to have another Shell world-first happen here in Australia,” Mr Smith said.
“This investment of almost $5 million included $2 million from the Victorian Government in the development of the new tank and blending facility.”
