JSBA Newsletter 01/09 – March 3, 2009   

Dear Reader,

The Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance is picking up speed. With this first newsletter, we are starting a systematic approach to inform the Jatropha community about our activities, events and relevant news for the industry. Please note that some of the contents we will announce in this newsletter will only be available to members of the Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance. Please visit our website at www.jatropha-alliance.org. We are looking forward to your feedback under info@jatropha-alliance.org.

1. Jatropha Industry meets in Kuala Lumpur for the JatrophaWorld 2009

The JatrophaWorld Conference in Kuala Lumpur marked the first industry gathering in 2009 and showed the path towards industrial scale production of the new feedstock. Jatropha players are getting more professional, and more and more research issues are being solved. Jatropha also shows a good medium and long term investment prospect, nevertheless, under the current market situation, financing proves to be difficult. Read full conference report on our website.

Picture: Speakers at the JatrophaWorld Conference in Kuala Lumpur

2. Jatropha Alliance moves forward

With more than 20 members from all over the world and all stages of the Jatropha value chain, the Jatropha Alliance has strengthened its position as the representation of the Jatropha industry.

In the coming months, the Jatropha Alliance plans to tackle key issues for the industry such as the viability of Jatropha on marginal land, the greenhouse gas balance of Jatropha or pure plant oil applications of Jatropha oil. Issue papers on these topics will be prepared.

The Jatropha Alliance will also continue the work on the Jatropha Working Group of the Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels. The task of this working group is to define key sustainability indicators for Jatropha.

3. Jatropha has a bright future as a potential feedstock for BioJetfuel

The International Air Traffic Association pushes for the blending of bio based jet fuel: „IATA’s goal is for its members to be using 10% alternative fuels by 2017“. The successful bio jet fuel test flights of Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines have proven that the use of biofuels in jet fuels is feasible. Jatropha has been used in all three test flights and is one of the few feedstock options available to fulfil this target, because it is non food, more sustainable than other crops and can be made available in larger volumes.

If the IATA target should be fulfilled, a new market of 25-30 million tons of vegetable oil p.a. will open up in the next 7-10 years. Jatropha will take a big share of this market. The Jatropha Alliance started talks with relevant players in the industry to facilitate the process to make Jatropha a viable alternative feedtsock for jet fuel.

Very best wishes,

Thilo Zelt

Director
Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance

Dr. Andreas Renner

President
Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance

The Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance is the representation of the Jatropha industry. Its aims are to promote the sustainable cultivation of Jatropha as a second generation feedstock for biofuels, to promote Jatropha in the public discussion about biofuels, to represent the industry in political and stakeholder processes and to provide services to its members. More information and application forms for members can be found under www.jatropha-alliance.org.

This newsletter is mailed several times during the year.

If you would rather not receive future editions, please send an email to: info@jatropha-alliance.org

Jatropha Sustainable Biofuels Alliance
Phone:            +49 (0) 30 4000 476 40

Office Berlin  c/o GEXSI

Am Festungsgraben 1
D-10117 Berlin, Germany

info@jatropha-alliance.org
www.jatropha-alliance.org