8th Mar 2006 12:10
D1 Oils Plc08 March 2006 RNS Release - March 8, 2006 D1 Oils Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese Ministry of Agriculture to Promote Biodiesel in Southern China D1 Oils plc (D1) and the Center for Energy and Environment Protection (CEEP)within the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of the People's Republic ofChina have signed a Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote theadoption and production of biodiesel produced from jatropha curcas in southernChina. The MOU signed on March 7, 2006 covers scientific and technicalcooperation to explore the potential for biodiesel planting and refiningprojects through the combined expertise and personnel of D1 and CEEP. Under the terms of the MOU both parties will jointly establish a seed farm todemonstrate jatropha growing in China. The farm will act as a training centrefor agronomy practices and will produce a local supply of quality seeds for theplanting of jatropha. CEEP and Ministry of Agriculture personnel will beundertaking a programme of visits to D1's international agronomy sites to learnbest practice techniques for promoting biodiesel crops, particularly jatropha.Visits will also be undertaken to D1's UK refinery operations to investigate thepotential for establishing small scale modular refinery operations in China. Land suitable for jatropha curcas planting in China is most prevalent in thesouthern provinces in China, in particular Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan,Guizhou, Fujian, and Hainan. D1 will work with CEEP and suitable localorganisations to undertake a detailed identification of existingnon-agricultural land in these areas to evaluate planting potential andinvestigate opportunities to incorporate jatropha planting into existing ruralagricultural programmes. The MOU also covers cooperation on climate change abatement and policy work. D1and CEEP will work together to develop policies, models and procedures that willpromote biodiesel development in China in support of both national policies,including China's Renewable Energy Law, and policies pursued under the KyotoProtocol such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). D1 and CEEP will alsowork together to promote the exchange of information relating to biofuels, andjatropha derived biodiesel in particular, for the accelerated market developmentof these fuels. Elliott Mannis, CEO of D1, commented: "China faces energy security andenvironmental challenges in supplying an ever increasing demand fortransportation fuel. D1 is pleased to be partnering with CEEP and the Ministryof Agriculture in promoting and supporting the development of the biofuelsindustry in China. The seed farm we are establishing in cooperation with CEEPwill be a platform on which to build our agronomy business in China. In duecourse we hope to develop our cooperation to establish refining and tradingoperations." Contacts: D1 Oils: Graham Prince, Head of Corporate CommunicationsTel: +44 (0) 20 7321 3892Mobile: +44 (0) 7973 323840 Brunswick Group: Helen Barnes, Associate PartnerTel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 Notes to Editors D1 Oils plc is a UK-based global producer of biodiesel from renewable energycrops. We are building a global supply chain and network that is sustainable anddelivers value from "earth-to-engine". Our operations cover agronomy, refiningand trading. We are pioneering the science, planting and production of inediblevegetable oils; we design, build, own, operate and market biodiesel refineries;and we source, transport and trade seeds and seedlings, seedcake, crudevegetable oils and biodiesel. Our vision is to be the world's leading biodieselbusiness. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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