Biodiesel production plant to work in Drochia

Sudzuker Moldova SA will invest about €10 million in the construction of a plant that will produce biodiesel from sugar beet in Drochia town. It will use mainly the industrial waste of the local sugar factory, Info-Prim Neo reports. The plant can process about 800 tonnes of pressed sugar beet. Representatives of Sudzuker Moldova SA say the plant can use other kinds of material as well. The project was launched officially by the administration of Sudzuker Moldova SA on April 14. The launch was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Valeriu Cosarciuc, MP Veaceslav Ionita, who heads the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, representatives of state and non-state organizations related to the sugar industry. The project was presented by Octavian Armasu, financial director of Sudzuker Moldova SA. He said the plant will be built during 2011-2012, while the investments will be recouped in about eight years. The company's administration says the putting in commission of the biodiesel production plant will represent the last stage of the production optimization process. As the price of the material used is lower, the sugar made at the factory in Drochia will be more competitive on the home market and abroad. The produced biodiesel will cover about 60% of the energy resources needed to make sugar. Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Lazar said the new project of Sudzuker Moldova SA continues authorities' efforts aimed at increasing energy efficiency. Minister Valeriu Cosarciuc said five years ago Sudzuker Moldova SA promised to open such a plant and now it fulfills its promise.