The companies told the Australian Stock Exchange today the facility, designed to replicate ARF’s Adelaide and Western Australian facilities, would produce 45 mega litres of biodiesel per year.

With production expected to start in the second half of 2007, the plant would be located next to TPI’s existing cooking oil facilities in the Port of Brisbane.

The joint venture involves TPI providing operational management to the project, while ARF would be in charge of the development and technical management.

The partners said the project would use the proven Energea biodiesel technology, for which ARF has purchased the Australian patent rights. TPI will provide up to 50% of the feedstock through its existing used-cooking oil collection business.

The joint venture was initiated by TPI following a worldwide review of biodiesel technology worldwide, in addition to examining the emerging Australian biodiesel industry and its participants.

Last week, ARF announced it had commissioned its biodiesel plant in Adelaide, South Australia, while adding that the commissioning of its WA plant at Picton was “imminent”.

At the time, ARF said it planned to fast track the rollout of new plants to reach its target of having five facilities operating about one year ahead of schedule.