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Whisky distillery to produce bio-fuel

Scotland – The Tullibardine whisky distillery in Scotland is to convert its by-products into an advanced bio-fuel capable of powering both petrol and diesel vehicles. The project is a result of the memorandum it signed with Celtic Renewables Ltd – an Edinburgh-based partner which has developed the technology to produce biobutanol from the by-products of whisky production.

The pilot demonstration project has received a grant of £155 000 (US$ 248 000) from Zero Waste Scotland as well as the support of the Scottish government. The latter believes the initiative will contribute greatly to the EU-mandated bio-fuel target of 10% by 2020 while also helping to reduce emissions by 42% by that same year.

Tullibardine has the capacity to generate 6500 tonnes of draff and 2 million litres of pot ale per annum; these by-products were previously used mainly as animal feed or to benefit agriculture. According to Tullibardine’€™s Managing Director Douglas Ross, the annual disposal costs can be as high as £250 000 (US$ 400 000). He states: ‘€˜It takes a cost to us and turns it into something that has social as well as commercial value.’€™

Celtic Renewables is a spin-out company from the Biofuel Research Centre (BfRC) at Edinburgh Napier University. Its Director, Professor Martin Tangney, acknowledged: ‘€˜Our partnership with Tullibardine is an important step in the development of a business which combines two iconic Scottish industries – whisky and renewables.’€™

For more information, visit: www.tullibardine.com

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