DEMAND FOR biodiesel could increase five-fold if a new directive from Brussels is attained, experts predict.

Currently there are around 50 biodiesel manufacturers in Europe, with a capacity of 2.1m tonnes.

But demand could increase to around 10m tonnes per year, according to speciality chemical experts Degussa.

In Germany alone, since 1995 “green diesel” production capacity has increased ten-fold to 1.1m tonnes and the company expects this trend to increase across Europe.

“We consider biodiesel to be among the important applications with high rates of growth,” said Andre Noppe, Line Manager of Degussa‘s plant near Cologne.

“We can expand our existing facilities very quickly if required,” he confirmed.