Biodiesel plant in final stages of completion in Oman

A biodiesel plant which converts used cooking oil (UCO) into automotive fuel is in the final stage of construction in Barka Industrial Area. Once completed it will process 800,000 gallons per year.

Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be’ah), which is responsible for all waste management in Oman, has given endorsement for the project to be implemented by Erigo Bio-fuel, the Qatar-based biodiesel pioneer and Dubai-based Neutral Fuels Holdings Ltd.

"Oman produces nearly 600,000 litres of used cooking oil in a year, which goes down the drain causing pollution and other environmental issues," said Asim Khamis Salman al Sabri, owner of the initiative, which is built with support from Be'ah, said.

"This initiative to convert UCO into useful bio-diesel stems from the need for a sustainable and environment-friendly source of energy," said Mohammed Ashraf, Country Manager, Erigo Bio-fuel. He said many European countries, including the Netherlands have agreed to import biodiesel from Oman. These importers are equipped with appropriate distribution channels, according to the promoters of the project.

"Oman's export of bio-diesel can assure around 30 to 40 per cent price advantage over the traditional diesel oil and it's 'zero-pollution' fuel which doesn't harm our environment," said Noushad Rahuman, MD, Premium Global Group, the local representative of the project.

Erigo runs biofuel operations in Malaysia, Qatar, Tunisia, the Philippines and India. Erigo has tie-ups with thousands of restaurants across the region to source used cooking oil.

Neutral Fuels is funded by London-based Neutral Capital Finance PLC through the region’s first certified green bond. It now has operations in the UAE, Bahrain and India.