Alpha Biofuels converts waste to biodiesel

Allan Lim, chief executive officer of Singapore-based Alpha Biofuels, said the company has a viable way of producing energy from community waste. Alpha’s technology enables the conversion of typically hard-to-work-with feedstock, such as sewer grease and algae, into liquid fuel. Alpha was set up in 2004 in Singapore as a spin-off from parent company Alpha Synovate Pte. Ltd., to look into producing greener alternatives to hydrocarbon-based fuels. Lim runs operations at the Tanjong Penjuru plant with a staff of 12, seven of whom are local university interns. Alpha has received grants from Spring Singapore, as well as a two-year incubation stint at ITE College East, where it has access to laboratory facilities and technical support to conduct research and development. Alpha sells the biodiesel at six retail locations in Singapore. (May 5, 2009)