Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney

[morris Member Find all posts View Profile Close morris]

Re: Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney

Dave,
Thanks for your comments. I am not sure what comments you are referring to, but I am unaware of other retail sites selling Soybiodiesel. However, there is a growing list of Customers, just not retail sites.

As to the issue of National importing Biodiesel, I was initially opposed to buying imported biodiesel, but after listening to the National Biodiesel story, I am far less concerned. National is doing what most producers have failed to do; they are developing a market before they build their Biodiesel plant. Other producers would still be in business had they followed that strategy, rather than building & hoping the Customers would materialize. The companies fell-over because they didn't have a market (amongst a heap of other issues).

National's Soybiodiesel is currently imported because no Soy-based biodiesel is produced domestically. However, in May, National was awarded approval to build their production facility in Woolongong. http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/n...a/1516371.aspx

Their new facility will crush soybeans to produce soymeal, which currently is 95% imported. In effect, the National Soybean crushing facility will be Australia's largest crushing facility and aside from the 300,000 tons of soymeal that is produced annually, there will also be several million litres of soybiodiesel.

This is a great opportunity for Australia, and I hope National is successful with its plan. It could be a win-win situation.

Lastly, there is a limited supply of quality biodiesel in the Sydney market. Having a resource like National's soybiodiesel is a massive advantage for my customers that want to use Biodiesel all year round. I have had too many calls from Customers that were caught out in the cold with tallow-based biodiesel, & TBS would probably not sell B100 this winter if it were not for National's Soybiodiesel.

National's product is a high-quality product and it will be a domestic biofuel and a part of the Australian Biodiesel Industry as soon as they build their bloody plant. They have broken ground, and the word is that they have the money and determination to achieve their goals.

Australia needs this kind of investment into the Biodiesel industry.

Lastly, TBS uses domestic tallow-based biodiesel in its B20, the fuel is blended by Brisbane-based Freedom Fuels. If you know me at all, you will know that I am steadfast supporter of the domestic industry, and that will never change.

Happy Motoring - ML

[morris Member Find all posts View Profile Close morris]

Re: Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney

Dave,
Much of what you write is correct. Feedstock prices doubling was a significant problem, but conversely, the price of fossil fuel was climbing in proportion to the increased feedstock prices, so the price of biodiesel also went up. High Feedstock prices do not explain the failure of those producers, the math does not support that claim.

It is my first-hand observation that small facilities that could operate at near capacity made it through, and large facilities that were carrying the overhead, but were only reaching 10% utilization because of demand - well they are not around anymore.

Australia has 10 times more capacity than demand. Those companies that fell over made several errors, and high feedstock prices merely nailed the coffin. Unfortunately the mistakes had already set the stage for collapse.

ABG diversified into purchasing a crushing facility and a WVO pickup service, both expensive ventures, but these acquisitions handicapped the liquidity of the company & when things got tough, sales could not bail-out the business & cash-flow became a terminal cancer. They had nearly $50 million at their disposal, but I don't belive they managed the funds well.

There are a number of mistakes that put ABG, ARF, and Natural Fuels out of business, but had these companies been able to produce a quality fuel and develop an expanding Customer base, they might have made it. Unfortunately they failed on attracting a Customer base that could sustain the operating cost of a large facility & none of them really licked the issues related to quality - which in turn, reduced the Customers buying biodiesel. Natural fuels was never operational, they didn't have a prayer.

I am not saying that National is the best or the smartest biodiesel company in Australia. It is just that they are increasing their chances of survival by building demand before they start production, and had the other Australian companies done the same - they might still be active today.

There are still companies out there selling off-spec biodiesel, and they do the industry a massive disservice buy touting cheap biodiesel and claiming that the competition is raping their Customers. I cannot compete with these guys; nor will I try.

I sell a fuel that meets the spec, is fit-for-purpose, and is as inexpensive as I can get it, but it contributes to the domestic economy, reduces toxic emissions, and is the fuel of the future. That isn't bad for a fuel that costs the same or a little less than diesel.

I cannot understand what keeps everyone from buying it, but they don't because they would rather buy an imported fuel that is supplied by a multi-national, and is killing the planet. Costs being the same, I just don't understand; why must something that is better need to also be cheaper. Like an BMW X5 is going to cost less than a Corolla... NOT.

However, this is the problem, the general public will spend more money on maintaining the status-quo rateher than spend the same (or less) on the alternative. That is why the Aussy Biodiesel business has been (and remains) on the edge of the cliff. Demand isn't there yet, but it is getting better.
ML

[morris Member Find all posts View Profile Close morris]

Re: Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney

Dave & ALL members of the Forum,

Please do not buy B100.

Buy B20 diesel, it does not demonstrate the weird characteristics of B100, delivers the same power as fossil diesel, and helps to reduce emissions, the nations economy, and improve the energy resources of the nation.

I should have never marketed B100; it was a mistake, and with the slump in sales, it may go off the market entirely.

If you are looking for Cheap Fuels - go to Volume Plus, it is a great product, but inconsistent. However, B20 diesel does not disturb seals, hoses, or gaskets. B20 diesel DOES reduce emissions, assist in the development of an Australian biofuels, and reduces the consumpiton of fossil fuels by well over 30%.

Based on those advantegs, why would you consider fusing fossil diesel?

I wish you luck and thanks for the chat, your are a clever resondent.

ML

[mikepotts64 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mikepotts64]

Re: Current Biodiesel Suppliers in Sydney

Liberty on Pitwater Rd Manly has changed bio diesel supplier from Natbiogroup Soy Diesel to Shell Westside. My CR is not happy and consumption is up 15%. Shell Westside biodiesel according to their website may contain processed wvo or tallow based oils.