Grant to promote biodiesel research

Case IH has announced a $10,000 grant for biodiesel research or trials.

“We have developed a grant program to help foster research, development and practical trials in this emerging field,” said Stuart Brown, Case IH marketing manager.

Stuart said it is important that the industry finds the best way to prepare for a biodiesel future.

“Fossil fuels are running out and, over time, petroleum-based fuels will simply become unaffordable. And with growing consumer environmental awareness and pressure to reduce carbon emissions, we have to look towards fuel solutions that are responsible and sustainable in the long term,” Stuart said.

“Biodiesel will not be the silver bullet providing all the answers to every environmental and fuel crisis concern, but it will be part of the puzzle.

“Our hope is that by offering this grant we can help come up with the answers to some of the questions that remain about biodiesel development and use.”

The grant program complements Case IH’s existing efforts to support the use of biodiesel. It is already possible to use biodiesel (in various percentages) in all Case IH equipment.

“The grant-winning application might be for direct research into how to produce different types of biodiesel, or it could be broader, perhaps looking at developing Australian standards for biodiesel, or working on retrofit filtration systems for fuel storage tanks to make them suitable for biodiesel. It’s a relatively new area of research and there are many avenues to be explored,” Stuart said.

Applications for the Case IH Biodiesel Research Grant are now open to farmers, researchers and other individuals and organisations working with biodiesel.

For details on the grant, application guidelines and an application form, visit www.caseih.com/au/bioready. Applications close 31 October and the grant winner will be announced in early December.