Fuel producers in South Africa get blending date

The South African Department of Energy has stated a time from which fuel producers will have to start blending petrol and diesel with biofuels.

The date has been set exactly two years from 1 October and producers will be required to blend between 2 and 10% of bioethanol into petrol, and a minimum of 5% biodiesel in diesel.

A move of this kind is hoped, as with many other countries, to reduce Africa’s overall dependence on imported fuels.

South Africa is the largest agricultural producer on the continent but it is believed the biofuels industry has progressed slowly due to concerns over potential adverse impacts on food security and price.