JBSL in supply deal with Hokkaido ethanol producers

Japan Biofuels Supply LLP (JBSL) has struck a deal to buy bioethanol from two domestic producers in Hokkaido, northern Japan. JBSL, a consortium of nine local refiners, will source a total of 8,000 to 13,000 kiloliters (kl) of bioethanol from Oneon Holdings Inc. and Hokkaido Bioethanol Co. as feedstock for ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) which is used to blend with gasoline. According to JBSL, the supply contract will run from September 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. Japanese oil companies started selling gasoline blended with ETBE in some retail markets in 2007 and plan to market ETBE-blended gasoline nationwide from 2010. (June 11, 2009)