• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Kate Bonsack

10th March 2009 11:05:11 AM

Seed capital … Biomax managing director Mile Soda researches a fuel product. 28020 Picture: GLEN CAMPBELL

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A LAVERTON biodiesel company could help regional farmers survive the drought by giving them a new crop to grow that has survived low rainfall.

Over the past year Biomax has been researching whether mustard seeds could be used as a fuel and has found that it made an excellent biodiesel.

The company will start negotiating with farmers from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia to grow the crops.

Biomax managing director Mile Soda said the fuel from the mustard seed oil was similar to canola oil-based biodiesel.

“We’re excited about it,” he said.

“It has so many benefits, including that mustard grows in areas that has low rainfall…it is a more tolerant plant to the drought.”

Farmers who have been losing money in the drought will be able to grow mustard seed crops.

“It could be a solution for these farmers,” Mr Soda said.

“We will target farmers in rural areas who can use the mustard crop as a break crop.”

Biomax started researching the use of mustard seeds as biodiesel because it was cheaper to produce than canola.

“If everything goes well, we could be selling small commercial volumes from early 2010,” Mr Soda said.

“Then in 2011 we could have more available.

“The progress is encouraging and we are quietly confident it will have a good outcome.”

Biomax estimates that one tonne of seed would produce 400 litres of biodiesel.

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