Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Boat owners can make their own biodiesel to beat the red diesel ban

Making your own biodiesel could be the solution for boat owners worried about the proposed scrapping of the concession to use 'red' diesel for use in leisure craft. It is possible, and legal, to produce diesel fuel yourself from new or used vegetable oil.

Biodiesel processors for the small scale production of diesel fuel are available from MB Industrial, a UK company based in Cheltenham. Ideal for boat owners, these processors can produce up to 150 litres of diesel per day for around 50p per litre, including full duty.

They represent an answer to the huge fuel cost increases faced by private boat users from the controversial outlawing of red diesel for marine recreational craft currently scheduled to come into force at the end of next year.

Making biodiesel is simple with these processors, which are closed systems and do not require any messy pouring or hand stirring of liquids. They are compact enough to fit in the corner of a shed or garage and only require one hour of hands-on time to produce 150 litres of fuel.

"Diesel engines do not need any modification to use the fuel," said Matthew Barnes, head of MB Industrial. "In fact, they run better on it and produce less pollution."

There's also another big advantage with making your own biodiesel: you can make even bigger savings by using it in diesel road vehicles. In fact, many drivers using biodiesel processors do not set foot in a service station from one month to the next!

MB Industrial provides all the equipment and supplies needed to start making biodiesel straight away. All that is needed to produce the fuel is vegetable oil, methanol, caustic soda, electricity and tap water. Even heavily used cooking oil (often available free from restaurants etc) can be turned into clean burning, biodegradable and smooth-running biodiesel.

Picture caption

Say goodbye to the red diesel blues. This small scale biodiesel production system from MB Industrial can produce duty paid diesel at a fraction of the forecourt price.


The proposed withdrawal of the right to use red diesel in private pleasure craft at the end of 2006 is part of a European Union directive aimed at harmonising the taxation of energy products.

Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification, which produces two products - biodiesel and glycerine (a by-product that can be used in soaps). Biodiesel is environmentally friendly, unlike mineral diesel, being biodegradable, non-toxic, carbon neutral and essentially free of sulphur and aromatic hydrocarbons.

-ends-

Date: 26 October 2005
Ref: MBI1-05

Press enquiries:
Stephen Bailey
Antimony Communications
Tel: +44 (0)1483 416807
Fax: +44 (0)8704 861461
Mobile: +44 (0)7010 716807
Email: sbailey@antimony.co.uk

Other enquiries:
Matthew Barnes
MB Industrial, 10 Sefton Walk, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 3QF, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1242 700727
Fax: +44 (0)1242 511220
Email: sales@mbindustrial.co.uk
Web: www.mbindustrial.co.uk