Australian company to develop cleaning products from biodiesel waste

A company based in Pilbara, western Australia that recycles cooking oil from mining camps to make biofuel has announced plans to begin developing cleaning products from glycerol.

The Ashburton Aboriginal Corp. launched its subsidiary biodiesel company, AshOil, in 2010 after investigating alternative fuel sources in light of rising diesel costs.

Used cooking oil for biodiesel production is currently collected from Port Hedland, Newman, Karratha, Roebourne and satellite mine camps such as Area C, Hope Downs and West Angeles, with more collection points being added.

AshOil produces about 10,000 litres of biodiesel each week, and is looking to make cleaning products from the waste product of the process so it can cut wastage out at its plant. The by-product will be turned into dust-suppressant, truck wash and hand wash. All of the plant's waste water is used to water oilseed crop.

In addition the company has won a supply agreement with Rio Tinto which guarantees the purchase the 5-7,000 litres of fuel for drill and blast operations at the Tom Price mine.

AshOil also has an agreement with ESS that guarantees it can access to 20,000 litres of used cooking oil each year.

The company aims to produce more than 300,000 litres of biodiesel this year.