Mexican firm begins biodiesel imports

Mexican firm Corp Oil has begun importing biodiesel made from soy and palm oil from Canada, the San Luis Potosí-based firm said in a press release.

The company's long-term plan is to sell biodiesel to private industries and state oil firm Pemex, but it did not reveal details of import quantities or prices to end-users.

The biodiesel is mixed in a proportion of 5-20% with conventional diesel, which proves to be more environmentally friendly and produces greater performance in the engines in which it is used, according to the company.

The energy ministry (Sener) announced in December it plans to award academic-industry alliances funding to groups known as CEMIEs to conduct research in the areas of bio-energy and marine energy.

The CEMIEs will work to develop technological solutions to tap the country's renewable energy resources, Sener said.

The funding will be used to support five innovation clusters that will carry out R&D work over the next four years focused on solid biofuels, biodiesel, biogas and bio-kerosene, and which will be coordinated by the science and technology institute of San Luis Potosí.

Corp Oil was formed two years ago and carried out a five-year market research program to study the potential for biodiesel use in Mexico, according to the press release.

The challenge is to sell biodiesel to clients already consuming diesel, the company said.

The firm plans to expand its operations in the country's central region before penetrating the north and southeast, it said.

Corp Oil also announced the launch of a non-profit foundation, Por un México Más Verde, aimed at collaborating in projects that benefit the environment.