The World’s First Verified Sustainable Ethanol Introduced
Posted on May 27, 2008
Filed Under Greentech
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 26 /PRNewswire/ — Swedish SEKAB today
announced that it is the first company in the world to supply verified
sustainable ethanol. This ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane is quality
assured from environmental, climate and social perspectives.
“Consumers and other stakeholders need guarantees that the ethanol is
verified sustainable,” says Anders Fredriksson, EVP of SEKAB BioFuels &
Chemicals.
SEKAB has together with progressive Brazilian producers developed
criteria that cover the entire lifecycle of ethanol from the sugarcane
fields to its use in flexi-fuel (FFV) cars.
The criteria are in line with demands highlighted in the ongoing
processes being led by organisations like the UN, EU, ILO and a number of
NGOs.
The requirements have zero tolerance for child labour, non-organised
working conditions (slave labour) and the destruction of rain forests.
There are also requirements concerning working conditions, labour laws and
wages.
Harvesting is to be at least 30 per cent mechanised today and this will
increase to 100 per cent by 2014.
In terms of the climate, the demands will result in a reduction of
carbon dioxide emissions from farming, production and transport by at least
85 per cent compared with gasoline.
An independent international verification company will audit all
production units twice a year to ensure the established criteria are met.
“This initiative is the first of its kind in the world and a major step
for speeding up the replacement of gasoline and diesel,” says Anders
Fredriksson. “The criteria will gradually be developed over the coming
years and synchronised with international regulations when these are in
place.”
SEKAB delivers about 90 per cent of all ethanol in Sweden for E85 and
ED95 (ethanol for heavy vehicles).
“The first harvest of sugarcane for verified sustainable ethanol has
just begun,” explains Anders Fredriksson. “Over 100 000 Swedish owners of
E85 cars can begin filling up with verified sustainable ethanol in August.”
About SEKAB
SEKAB focuses on developing the market for bioethanol in northern
Europe and the construction and operation of ethanol production facilities.
SEKAB is also a world leader in development of technology and production
processes for ethanol from cellulose, with a pilot plant in operation since
2004. Its main office and pilot plant are in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden.
SOURCE SEKAB
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