GEM BioFuels commences crude jatropha oil shipment

GEM Biofuels will commence commercial production and shipment of crude jatropha oil in late January with 60 tons of oil shipping to Australia and East Germany. According to GEM, sales are based on individual spot negotiations and do not form part of any on-going contract or off-take agreement. Commercial production is being carried out using a third party oil extraction facility and is generated almost entirely from seeds obtained from the natural forest over which the company has rights. The company said it anticipates up to 5,000 tons of production under this arrangement. GEM’s current planted area is 137,000 acres. (January 8, 2010)