June 6, 2008

Australia to build US$220-million soy facility in Port Kembla
 
 
Australia's National Biodiesel (NB) disclosed plans to build a US$220-million soy processing and biodiesel production facility in Port Kembla, one of the country's largest seaports.

NB estimates that the project will generate more than 800,000 tonnes of soymeal and supply around 288 million litres of biodiesel to the Australian market.

The NSW Department of Planning, National Biodiesel said that the facility will increase trade through Port Kembla of around US$730 million per year.

NB will build the facility on land made available by GrainCorp, NSW Maritime and the Port Kembla Port Corporation.

Jaco Vosloo, NB's quality assurance manager, said that Port Kembla was chosen for its deep water berth as the facility would initially rely on imported soy.

Vosloo added that the biodiesel and soy sides of the operation would be treated with equal importance.