The 400-tonne refinery module, designed by German engineering firm Lurgi, was constructed at the Australian Marine Complex by the Ausclad Group of Companies, before being loaded onto a ship for transport to the plant site at the Port of Darwin fuel terminal.

Concurrent works at the site will enable the modular refinery to be fitted into the balance of plant, allowing production to commence by the end of September.

The plant will be owned and operated by Natural Fuels Australia, an equal joint venture between NFL and Babcock & Brown Environmental Investments, and is expected to produce 147 million litres of biodiesel and 12,960t of pharmaceutical-grade glycerine per annum using virgin vegetable oils as its feedstock.

The plant technology has been exclusively licensed to NFL in Australia for five years, and NFL plans to construct a second plant in New South Wales at Port Botany, where environmental impact studies are currently underway.

NFL yesterday said its previously announced plans for international facilities had progressed, and the Australian biofuels developer said it intended to launch three other Natural Fuel biodiesel refineries in the United States (Houston), Singapore and Malaysia during 2007.

Western Australian Energy Minister Fran Logan was present at the load-out last Friday, and said the construction of the modular refinery at the Australian Marine Complex was a significant step, both for Natural Fuel and for the Australian economy.

“Natural Fuels Australia Limited is fast becoming a domineering force in the biodiesel industry and have taken advantage of the innovative, forward-thinking facilities, engineering and services in our state,” Logan said.

“Natural Fuel’s entry into the Australian marketplace is a welcome addition to the global energy picture.”