A UK company is opening a bioethanol plant in the United States instead of this country because it is more cost-efficient.
Vireol Bio-Energy said it originally had plans to invest in Grimsby, but decided to take advantage of the more “focused legislative environment”, mature market and other advantages in the US.
The firm said it remained committed to biofuels and research and development in the UK and had plans to build a plant in this country.
Ged Russell, managing director of Vireol, said: “We are still enthusiastic about the opportunity in the UK and remain hopeful that the UK Government will create an investment and regulatory environment that will help to position UK plc at the forefront of renewable transport fuel production, both in Europe and internationally.”
“In the meantime, we are very much looking forward to working with our US partners, including the Commonwealth of Virginia, as we commence commercial operations.
“These parties have sensed the opportunity and have provided us with the perfect springboard to launch into the US. Their support has been very significant in our decision to invest on the other side of the Atlantic.”
The multi-feedstock bioethanol plant in Hopewell, Virginia, will be the biggest ethanol plant on the east coast of America, creating 70 direct jobs, with an expected turnover of 150 million dollars in the first year.
