Dec 20 2010
Energy Innovation (EIC), a leading Canadian innovator in biodiesel, has pronounced plans of inaugurating the first biodiesel manufacturing facility in Port Lands in Toronto.
EIC together with the property owner Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC) and Invest Toronto have chosen an 8600 square foot area on Unwin Avenue for the production of biodiesel and thereby contribute to the renewable fuel target of the federal government. Presently, Canada produces only 200 million liters of biodiesel every year. In 2011, the country would need 650 million liters to meet the requirements based on the new regulations posed by the Canadian Government where diesel fuel and heating oils should include at least 2% biodiesel on average.
This would be EIC’s first complete manufacturing plant and would commence by 2011 spring with a capacity of 10 million liters of biodiesel production every year. This biodiesel would reduce CO2 emissions and green house gases by about 99% while meeting Canada’s directives and further reduce dependence on imported oils. According to Jon Dwyer, CEO of EIC, the company was thrilled to set up the first plant in Toronto partnering organizations such as waste management firms, City of Toronto and local train operators to help the city to become a green player. The facility would also provide 12 permanent jobs in port lands. This project would be the first of the eight biodiesel production units planned by EIC in the province.
TPLC Chairman, Mike Williams, welcomed EIC as TPLC’s latest tenant and remarked that innovative green fuel manufacturers could enhance the city’s economic state.
Biodiesel is renewable, sulphur-free, non-toxic and biodegradable and operates any diesel engine in buses, trains, waste management vehicles, furnaces and generators without modifying the engine in any way. It is sold at a cost much lower than petro-diesel and can also be easily shipped as it is very stable. EIC plans to manufacture this biodiesel from flax seeds grown in Ontario and used coffee grounds that have been collected by the locals. Presently 56% of the world’s flax is being produced by Canada. Biodiesel from flax seeds are much more suited to the cold winters in Canada than petro-diesel. Daniel Popper, Director of Agriculture, EIC, stated that EIC was committed to access Ontario agriculture and build community applications for biodiesel to support the local economy and reduce carbon emissions.