20th Jun 2006 14:21
Associated British Foods PLC20 June 2006 Associated British Foods plc Associated British Foods announces a collaboration with BP and DuPont on UK biofuel production For immediate release 20 June 2006 Associated British Foods plc ("ABF"), the international food, ingredients andretail group has today announced a collaboration with BP and DuPont to beginproduction of the next generation of biofuels in the UK. This announcementcoincides with BP and DuPont announcing a worldwide partnership to developadvanced biofuels and signals ABF's intention to be at the forefront of UKbiofuels development. Production is expected to start in 2007. Under the agreement, British Sugar's Wissington bioethanol plant, currentlyunder construction in Norfolk, will be converted to the production ofbiobutanol. The plant will use locally grown sugar beet as the feedstock andthe biobutanol will be blended with petrol in the UK. ABF, BP and DuPont have also agreed to undertake a joint feasibility studywhich, subject to a successful conclusion, could lead to them cooperating in theconstruction of much larger facilities for biofuels production using cereals. Biobutanol will provide environmental benefits over purely mineral oil-derivedtransportation fuels. It will reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases andis a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Biobutanol can easily be blended with conventional grades of petrol and canalready be used at up to a 10% blend without any modification required toexisting vehicle technology. There is potential to increase this concentrationin the future. It has an energy content closer to that of petrol than ethanoland so offers better fuel economy than petrol/ethanol blends. Furthermore, itcan be easily blended into conventional grades of petrol and has the potentialto be incorporated into the existing UK fuel supply infrastructure. "The agreement with British Sugar to start production of biobutanol at theirWissington plant has enabled us to accelerate its introduction into the UKmarket," says John Manzoni, Chief Executive of BP's refining and marketingdivision. "We look forward to making the first supplies of this new biofuelavailable to our customers next year." "The conversion of the Wissington plant to produce biobutanol gives us anexcellent opportunity to showcase this new biofuel. With its superiorproperties, biobutanol can rapidly increase the market penetration of biofuels,"said Tom Connelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer forDuPont. George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said, "Our collaboration with BP and DuPont will enable UK agriculture to be at theforefront of the development of biofuel technology and will enable biofuels tobecome a major part of the requirement for transportation fuels in the UK." For further information please contact: Associated British Foods Tel: +44 (0)20 7399 6500John Bason, Finance Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 (0)20 7638 9571Jonathan Clare / Chris Barrie / Sara Batchelor Notes to Editors Associated British Foods is a diversified, international food, ingredients andretail group with sales of £5.6 billion and over 42,000 employees in 41countries. The group is one of Europe's largest food companies and hassignificant businesses in Australia, China and the US. It is the largestpurchaser of agricultural products, including grain and sugar beet, and is theleading supplier of animal feeds in the UK. British Sugar is the UK's leading supplier of sugar products to the foodmanufacturing and consumer markets. It is recognised as the most efficientsugar producer in Europe and has considerable expertise in asset utilisation,energy efficiency and process technology. British Sugar has operations inPoland and China with considerable experience in operating in developingcountries and in joint venture operations. BP is of one of the world's largest energy companies, providing its customerswith fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services andpetrochemicals products for everyday items. It is the largest oil and gasproducer in the US and is one of its largest refiners. BP has a global networkof around 25,000 service stations, 1,300 of which are in the UK. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work bycreating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life forpeople everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a widerange of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture,nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home andconstruction, transportation and apparel. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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