Malta’s largest producer of bio diesel, the EORC Group in Marsa, has made inroads in the retail sector when it announced that bio diesel in now available in over seven petrol stations in Ghaxaq, Kappara, Luqa, Marsa, Mellieha, Rabat and Sta Venera. In line with its marketing strategy, the EORC Group will be drawing up a strategy over the next few months to make bio diesel accessible in all petrol stations in Malta and Gozo

Speaking about the availability of bio diesel at local petrol stations, EORC’s director Pippo Psaila said: “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 in a number of other petrol stations in Malta as well. This is a breakthrough and good news for consumers as well as Malta’s environmental policy.”

Mr Psaila added: “Bio diesel is not only good for the environment but even more important it is better 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 which can guarantee that the product conforms with the approved product specifications EN 14214. This will ensure that the product 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 bio fuels are on the world agenda for various reasons, 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. The 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,” concluded Mr Psaila.

Bio diesel is a clean burning fuel produced from vegetable oils and fats that in the majority EORC sources locally. To produce bio diesel EORC uses waste oils and fats, which would otherwise have been disposed of in the waste stream, thus causing an environmental hazard that would cost the country hundreds of thousands of liri to clean up and dispose of.