Scottish biofuel pioneer and former Celtic Renewables chairman dies

Tributes have been paid to Dr Douglas John Ward, the former chairman of Celtic Renewables, who has died, aged 82.
The Scotland-based company, in a statement, said it was deeply saddened following the passing of its ex-chairman who died peacefully in his home following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Ward was involved with the original R&D, which underpinned Celtic Renewables having served as chairman of the advisory board for the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, where the initial research was conducted.
He was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of science by the university, helped to guide the commercial development of the project and was integral to the spin out of the company from the university.
He was a founder director of the business and became chairman of Celtic Renewables – a position he filled with distinction for almost a decade.
In a long and distinguished professional career, spanning over 35 years, Ward established himself as one of the most influential people in Scotland’s biofuel, agriculture and food and drink industries.
He was president of the European Renderers Organisation and went on to serve as president of World Renderers Organisation.
Ward was a pioneer of the UK biofuel industry and was a co-founder of Argent Energy – the country’s largest biodiesel producer, making sustainable diesel entirely from waste oil sources. He became a key influencer on policy in the UK and the EU, serving as chairman of the UK Renewable Energy Association transport fuels group and as the vice-president of the European Biodiesel Board.
In 2005, his services and tremendous achievements were recognised through the award of Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
He was also a well-known figure in the Scottish rugby community and held the role of national league representative on the Scottish Rugby Council.
He is survived by his wife Jackie and Celtic Renewables extends its sincere condolences to her and all his friends and family.