Malta’s largest producer of bio-diesel, the EORC Group in Marsa, has made inroads in the retail sector by its announcement that bio-diesel in now available in over seven petrol stations situated in Ghaxaq, Kappara, Luqa, Marsa, Mellieha, Rabat and Santa Venera. In line with its marketing strategy, the EORC Group will over the next few months be enhancing its intention to make bio-diesel available at all petrol stations in Malta and Gozo
Speaking about the availability of bio-diesel at local petrol stations, EORC’s Director Pippo Psaila said that “after many years of hard work to produce this environmental product, we are pleased to announce that bio diesel is no longer solely available from our station in Marsa, but a number of other petrol stations in Malta. This is a breakthrough and good news for consumers as well as Malta’s environmental policy.”
Mr Psaila added that “bio-diesel is not only good for the environment but, even more importantly, is good for the vehicles since it helps restore the lubricant properties of diesel which, in low sulphur diesel, could be the cause of major problems. Bio diesel has excellent lubricant properties, improves engine performance and above all is environmentally friendly. However, it is important to source the product from reputable companies who can guarantee that the product conforms with the approved product specifications EN 14214. This will ensure that it is of a high standard, which is critical for retailers and heavy users.
“To date, EORC have surpassed the 2005 sales figures by some 10 per cent and this augurs well for this environmentally friendly product. Bio diesel and biofuels are on the world agenda for various reason, among which is the real threat of global warming, which is why all nations in all continents are investing heavily in this alternative, clean-burning fuel. In Malta, government has been very sympathetic to these changes in fuel usage and has provided incentives to industry in various ways, the latest of which is the green procurement policy announced last week,” Mr Psaila concluded.
Bio-diesel is a clean burning fuel produced from vegetable oils and fats that EORC mainly sources locally. To produce bio-diesel, EORC uses waste oils and fats that would otherwise have been disposed of in the waste stream, thus causing an environmental hazard costing the country hundreds of thousands of liri to clean up and dispose of.