Hawaii to host pilot biofuels project

Papaya feedstock will play a role in a biofuels and animal feed project in Hawaii that has just received government funds.

The state has invested $200,000 (€153,800) into a conversion project with Florida-based Biotork Hawaii via its USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Centre.

The conversion process, which can now move to pilot stage, takes two weeks and uses organically optimised algae and fungi, with Biotork claiming other potential feedstocks include sweet potato, glycerol, sugar cane, albizia and mango.

‘This patented technology is unique to the marketplace and places Hawaii in a leading position in the area of biofuel and feed research,’ governor Neil Abercrombie was quoted as saying. ‘With this technology, farmers can turn agricultural waste into an additional revenue stream and local production of biofuel can lower Hawaii’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.’