Biodiesel production plant opens in central Iran

Iran has inaugurated a biodiesel production plant in the central province of Isfahan as the country attempts to increase reliance on environment-friendly fuels.

Iranian Vice President and Head of the Department of Environment Mohammad Javad Mohammadizadeh opened the plant in the town of Tiran and Karvan, located 45 kilometers west of the provincial capital city of Isfahan on Thursday.

The Tiran and Karvan plant has been built at the cost of over USD12 million.

The biodegradable fuel manufactured at the complex meets European emission standards, including Euro 4 and Euro 5, and produces 83 percent less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.

Iran is said to need between 70 and 80 biodiesel production plants, and the country’s first biodiesel bus has been jointly designed by the Iran Biodiesel and Asia Pishro Diesel companies.

Biodiesel can be produced using vegetable oils, animal fat, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel’s physical properties are similar to those of petroleum diesel, but it is a cleaner-burning alternative. Using biodiesel in place of petroleum diesel reduces emissions.

Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or blended with petroleum diesel.