CPC looks to grow jatropha in Indonesia

CPC Corp. Taiwan seeks to grow between 20,000 and 50,000 hectares of jatropha trees to expand its raw material sources to produce biodiesel. If successfully implemented, the oil extracted from jatropha seeds will be exported to Taiwan for use in its domestic market. Jatropha has been promoted as a sustainable feedstock suitable for biodiesel production due to social and environmental concerns. The inedible crop is said to be able to grow on semi-arid or marginal land and therefore does not take land away for food production. (June 15, 2009)