Mega jatropha project to start in Indonesia

Mother Earth Plantations Pte. (MEP) announced that it is investing in the first mega jatropha project in Indonesia. Worth US$100 million, the project will be conducted over four years in West Timor. Singapore-based MEP President Roland Jansen said the company had started its mega biofuel project—which includes the development of one million hectares of land and the construction of a processing plant—half a year ago and aims to start initial production of 30,000 tons by 2013. The capacity of the plant will be increased to 100,000 tons in the following years. The company, through its local subsidiary PT Buana Ibunda, would construct the processing plant by the end of 2009. The plant’s biodiesel output would be prioritized for the local market, with only a small portion of the output to be exported to countries such as China. (March 4, 2009)