Agifish general director Ngo Phuoc Hau confirmed that all parties have agreed to establish a joint venture for further development of the project, with Agifish and SaigonPetro contributing the major stakes. Refrigeration firms Hung Vuong of Tien Giang province, and Viet An of An Giang province, plan to contribute 20 per cent each to the project.
The team is ready to produce bio-fuel from tra and basa fat, it is believed to be non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and more efficient than diesel. Yet it’s greatest selling point is that it generates far less exhaust, although nothing has been said of any associated stench. Hau informed that production of fuel from fish fat was studied for more than a year and has been applauded by the national scientific council and local tra and basa fish farmers and processors.
Hau also said that the plant is likely to be built in the southern province of An Giang, where Agifish is located. He said a plant capable of producing 30,000 tonnes of fuel per annum. All equipment needed to run the plant would have to be imported. Since Mekong Delta province consumes 400,000 tonnes of basa and tra every year, fish fat supply for the bio-fuel plant is more than assured, with 50,000 tonnes of fish fat to be provided by fish processors in the area.
According to Hau such co-op to be formed in future would be important sources for the plant to produce bio-fuel. Although he did not elaborate as to why food grade fish fat was important to the production of an engine fuel. In associated fishy news, the Ministry of Fisheries has embarked on a programme to establish a catfish quality control system with the ultimate goal of developing “Basa Vietnam” into an established brand.
