Rayong to phase out petroleum diesel with B5

Rayong said it plans to gradually phase out pure high-speed diesel from its 75 service stations in Thailand, and replace it with B5, a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel. The company said that because B5 is cheaper than high-speed diesel, demand for B5 should be higher. Total oil demand in Thailand is expected to contract by one percentage point this year due to the country’s economic situation, which has been badly affected by its unstable political condition. (March 6, 2009)