Biofuels in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is at the centre of the ARA region (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam), which is often described as the gateway to Europe. With the help of the Rhine and Meuse rivers, the area extends the port's reach deep into central Europe, and serves as an important trading area for the petrochemical industry.

From 2007, 2% of the petrol and diesel brought onto the Dutch market has to contain biofuels. This percentage is to increase to 5.75% by 2010, so demand is steadily growing. The Netherlands Biodiesel Industry Association believes the country could become one of the largest manufacturers of biodiesel in the EU within two years. The annual production of its eight members will be 1.5 million tonnes, which will enable the country to replace at least 10% of mineral diesel with biodiesel as early as 2009.

Key players already present in the country include Biopetrol, which is building a biodiesel plant at Vopak's terminal, and WHEB Biofuels and Argos Oil, which are also building biodiesel plants there.