Date:12/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/12/stories/2005051200711000.htm

Back Labland Biotechs to supply jatropha saplings to Saudi Arabia

Our Bureau

Mysore , May 11

A LOCAL bio-technology company will supply jatropha saplings, a source of bio-fuel, to Saudi Arabia under an agreement with the London-based bio-diesel supplier, D I Oils.

Mr Sudheer Shetty, Managing Director of Labland Biotechs, said his company would supply the saplings for ten years. The saplings would be grown in the Gulf country.

He said D 1 Oils had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabian authorities for the cultivation of Jatropha curcas on 3,00,000 hectares, north of Riyadh.

Mr Mark Quinn, Managing Director of D 1 Oils said his company along with Aramco, world's largest oil producing company, had embarked upon a pilot project to grow jatropha crop in the deserts of Saudi Arabia.

The jatropha-derived bio-diesel will be blended with oil produced by Aramco to help its global clients comply with Kyoto protocol, to reduce greenhouse gases emission.

Mr Quinn said D 1 Oils has taken up cultivation of jatropha even in Egypt and African countries, besides wastelands in South-East Asia.