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New EU biofuel standards already incorporated into AGRANA's bioethanol concept

Following the proposed amendment to the "Renewable Energy Directive" announced today by the European Commission, AGRANA is calling for the rapid creation of a clear and stable framework for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.

Date: 17.10.2012

Following the proposed amendment to the "Renewable Energy Directive" announced today by the European Commission, AGRANA is calling for the rapid creation of a clear and stable framework for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. It has no objection to strict environmental standards for the production of biofuels. These serve to improve climate protection, and are in line with AGRANA's current investments and developments at its bioethanol plant in Pischelsdorf near Tulln.

AGRANA well prepared for bioethanol production from residues
AGRANA is well prepared regarding an admixture with ethanol from plant waste. At its Pischelsdorf site, a wheat starch plant will become operational in 2013, which will use all major raw material components to produce wheat starch and wheat gluten. The residues not used to produce starch will be used to produce bioethanol in the existing bioethanol plant, thereby further optimising the plant's use of raw materials.

Required greenhouse gas savings are more than exceeded
AGRANA is already clearly exceeding the EU target, whereby the greenhouse gas savings from biofuels must be at least 60 % for new plants. As a result of the current optimisation of the plant's operations, and the associated one hundred percent use of raw materials, a savings potential by up to 70 % can be reached.

"Made in Austria" bioethanol guarantees sustainable production from regional grain surpluses
In Europe, bioethanol is predominantly produced from locally grown grain. AGRANA only uses Central European animal feed grain surpluses, certified in accordance with strict sustainability criteria, to produce bioethanol, which ensures the complete traceability of the origin of the raw materials used. During the course of its bioethanol production, AGRANA also produces a valuable, guaranteed GM free, domestic protein animal feed ("Actiprot"). Soya imports from South America can therefore be partially replaced, saving additional transportation and thereby green house gas emissions.

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