Three Indonesian plantation cos to build biodiesel plant in Aug

A consortium of three Indonesian state plantation companies PT PERKEBUNAN NUSANTARA (PTPN) III, IV and V plan to build a biodiesel plant in August 2009 despite slim prospects of profitability. The three state companies announced the plan although many local investors have reported losses in the same line of business. * Khairul Muluk, the president of PTPN II said the palm-oil based biodiesel plant will be built in Belawan, North Sumatra, with a capacity of 300,000 tons a year * The consortium is inviting bidders to build the factory, which is estimated to cost Rp450 billion (US$45 million). (June 23, 2009