BRITISH SUGAR has announced that it has placed a contract for the design of the UK’s first bioethanol production facility. 

Planned to come on stream in the first quarter of 2007, the plant will be able to produce 55,000 tonnes of bioethanol from sugar beet.
 
The company is already involved in discussions with King’s Lynn Borough Council regarding the building of the production facility at its Wissington site, near Downham Market, Norfolk.
 
British Sugar’s chief executive, Mark Carr said: “Placing the design contract represents a significant step forward and clearly signals our intention to be part of this exciting new industry. 

“This sugar-based facility will build off our success in developing a highly efficient beet sugar industry in the UK and as such is unique to us. 

“However, while it will help the government towards its stated CO2 reduction targets, much more is needed.”
 
British Sugar has been lobbying for some time for the introduction of a renewable transport fuels obligation (RTFO) similar to that employed in the electricity generating industry. 

The company claims that without such an obligation, a full scale UK bioethanol industry will not be developed.