Solid Energy downsizes biodiesel expansion

Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd. said it will increase biodiesel production at its Christchurch facility from one million liters to four million liters a year by July 2009, instead of pursuing its initial plan to increase capacity to 15 million liters a year. Solid Energy’s Andy Matheson, who is general manager of renewable energy, said that while the company’s biodiesel business is continuing to expand, the company is taking a prudent approach in light of the recent fall in global crude oil prices. (February 13/14, 2009)