Sircona produces local biofuels cheaper than its fossil-based alternative

Biodiesel producer Sirona Fuels began selling biodiesel produced from locally-grown feedstocks on 22 April 2011.

The move will see its customers purchase the fuel for $0.25 (€0.17) less per gallon than the cost of fossil diesel.

In addition, when local businesses give their used cooking oil to the Sircona facility, 20% of what the biodiesel sells for will be donated to The Sircona Cares Foundation to support schools and other educational programmes for children around San Francisco Bay Area in California, US.

Speaking about The Sircona Cares Foundation, Michelle Lacourciere, the executive director for Sircona Cares, says: 'The core of our foundation's mission is to be an integral part of our community, promoting positive progressive changes that build sustainable communities. Through the Sircona Cares for Schools Program, businesses can work with us to create a different in the lives of local children.'

Sircona's new local fuel, which has been lab-tested, is now available to buy from the Blue Sky Bio-Fuels facility.

'With diesel prices at an all=tome high, consumers and businesses are being crippled,' says Sircona's CEO Paul Lacourciere. 'Used cooking oil is considered a waste stream by many in the restaurant industry and as a loval fuel producer we recognise its potential value through its conversion to ultra low carbon fuel. We pass the saving on to consumers and businesses alike, enabling businesses to lower operating costs and create more local jobs while improving the environment.'

While it is predicted that around 10 million gallons of used cooking oil is produced each year in the Bay Area alone, less than 10% of this is recycled for the production of renewable fuel.