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Mogilevkhimvolokno to launch commercial production of biofuel from rapeseed oil

Mogilevkhimvolokno has produced a pilot lot of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel fuel) from rapeseed oil, BelTA learnt from chief engineer of the enterprise Alexander Medvedev. “The production of the pilot lot of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) has shown that we can launch the commercial production of biofuel provided the manufacturing process is streamlined and optimized. In H2 2009, we plan to reach the annual designed capacity of FAME production – 30,000 tonnes from which we can get about 600,000 tonnes of biofuel,” Alexander Medvedev said. The biofuel production has been started in line with the project to develop the FAME processes adjusted to the facilities available at Mogilevkhimvolokno. “The scientists of the Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Problems of the Belarusian State University help us find the ways to produce high-quality and competitive products keeping modernization expenses as low as possible,” Alexander Medvedev said. Mogilevkhimvolokno is a major European producer of polyester yarns and fibres and the only CIS manufacturer of dimethyl terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate. In January-November 2008, the company manufactured goods Br784.5 billion worth in comparable prices, 17.5% up from the same period last year. The exports to CIS and non-CIS countries were $210 million worth (11.6% up). The company was established in 1968, reincorporated as a joint stock venture in 2002.

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