Shell launches biodiesel facility in Australia

The Shell Company of Australia is to provide B20 to its Australian customers after opening a biodiesel facility in Victoria. Shell’s BioDiesel 20 is blended at Newport and comprises Shell diesel and 20% biodiesel made from vegetable oil or animal fats supplied by Australian Renewable Fuels. The biodiesel facility, which was built at Shell’s Newport Terminal in Melbourne, officially opened on May 29. Total cost of the project was A$5 million (US$4.8 million), A$2 million (US$1.9 million) of which came from the Victorian Government and went towards the construction of the new tank and blending facility. Andrew Smith, Shell’s vice president of downstream Australia, said the facility’s inauguration was “one of the largest projects Shell has undertaken at its Newport terminal in 10 years.”