UK’s largest bioethanol plant re-opens after four month closure

The UK’s biggest bioethanol producer which stopped production at its £350m East Yorkshire plant in November, blaming Government “inaction” in making oil companies use 10% bioethanol in petrol, has re-opened.

The decision by Vivergo Fuels comes following a change in the law to increase the amount of biofuels in petrol passed through Parliament.

Last year, Vivergo Fuels said it had invested heavily in its Hull plant, which produces fuel from locally grown wheat, in the expectation that new rules forcing oil companies to increase the percentage of bioethanol in petrol would be introduced, for which Vivergo has introduced a fuel called E10.

However, the company said losses had risen due to government delays.

The law change in March, through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), will see the use of renewable fuels in transport rise from 4.75% to a target of 9.75% by 2020.

Mark Chesworth, managing director of Vivergo Fuels, said: “We are pleased to see the RTFO pass through Parliament. This step, combined with the completion of maintenance work, has prompted us to recommence production after being offline over the winter period.

“However, there is much still to do if we are to sustain production and maintain this significant industry in the UK.”

The bioethanol industry is now calling for the Government to introduce E10 fuel by the end of the year. E10, which the industry says is a more environmentally friendly blend of 10% renewable bioethanol with petrol which can lower emissions from vehicles.

It is commonly used across North America, Europe and Australasia and introducing it in the UK would be the carbon emissions savings equivalent to taking 700,000 cars off the road.