with this second newsletter, we inform the Jatropha community about our current activities and upcoming events in the Jatropha industry. Please note that some of the contents we will announce in this newsletter will only be available to members of the Jatropha Alliance. For more information, please visit our website at www.jatropha-alliance.org.
For the Jatropha industry, it is crucial to have an idea what the price of Jatropha oil is in order to have a sensible basis for business planning.
Therefore, GEXSI and the Jatropha Alliance developed the Jatropha Price Indicator as a reference value which (in the absence of a real market price for Jatropha) can serve as a proxy for this price.We developed this indicator together with leading experts on plant oil markets and plant oil prices.
In May 2009, the indicator was at 726 USD/t. This price indicator and more information on the methodology used can be found on our website www.jatropha-alliance.org. The Indicator will be updated monthly based on average prices of the underlying factors in the month before.
2. First General Meeting of the Alliance
In its first general meeting in Berlin on April 28th, 2009, the Jatropha Alliance discussed the strategic positioning of the Alliance and took several important decisions regarding business development. With more than 20 members on five continents, the Jatropha Alliance has developed into a global representation of the Jatropha industry over the last months and welcomes further members.
In the meeting, key targets of the following year have been defined as
Representation of the interests of the Jatropha industry in initiatives like the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels or in relation to international legislative bodies like the EU
Continuation of the ongoing public relations efforts to promote Jatropha in the media and with key stakeholders (e.g. upcoming article on www.biofuelsinnovator.com)
Extension of our internal konowldge base with reserach articles, papers and presentations on Jatropha for the exclusive use of our members (forthcoming this month)
Providing member services like internal newsletters, conference discounts etc.
The meeting also decided on small changes in the Alliance statutes, on a shortening of the name into “Jatropha Alliance” and on a new fee structure.
Finally we elected a new board pf directors. We are pleased to welcome Carl von Gablenz (Elaion AG) as a new secretary and Harry Stourton (Sun Biofuels Ltd) as a co-opted board member. Thilo Zelt (JSL Biofuels Madagascar) followed Andreas Renner (GEXSI) as a president, while Andreas was elected treasurer.
3. Upcoming Biofuels & Jatropha Markets Asia Conference in Jakarta
On June 29th – July 1st, the fourth major Asian Biofuels Event organized by Greenpower Conferences takes place in Jakarta. This time, Jatropha will have a key role in the conference, with the third day exclusively devoted on Jatropha related issues like market potential, plantation and cultivation, investment in Jatropha as well as production, refining & downstream logistics.
Jatropha Alliance President Thilo Zelt will chair the sessions of the third day, and there will be a Jatropha Alliance informations session at the end of the conference. Jatropha Alliance members who wish to attend will receive a 20% discount on the conference fee. Alliance members can contact us directly if they want to make use of that. Please find the program of the conference attached.
4. Africa BIOFUELS event in Bordeaux on July 2nd
AfricaBIOFUELS takes place on July 2nd in Bordeaux is an executive dialogue focusing on unlocking Africa’s biofuel potential. This dialogue suceeds the Mozambiquan PABO dialogue (Powering Africa: The Biofuels Option) and is organized by EnergyNet Limited in cooperation with the Africa Energy Forum. By promoting an open dialogue between the EU, African governments, development agencies and the private sector AfricaBIOFUELS hopes to overcome the challenges facing the African biofuels sector and further the responsible development of Africa’s biofuels industry. The debate on the sustainability of biofuels – the rising food prices, deforestation, displacing existing arable land and doubts over climate change benefits – is well documented. The aim of AfricaBIOFUELS is not to reiterate these issues but to discuss policies that will ensure that the biofuels industry in Africa moves forward in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Jatropha Alliance members who wish to attend will receive a special discounted price of 350 EUR for the registration. Members can contact us directly if they want to make use of that. Please find the program of the event attached.
The Jatropha Alliance is the representation of the Jatropha industry. Its aims are to promote the sustainable cultivation of Jatropha as a second generation feedstock for biofuels, to promote Jatropha in the public discussion about biofuels, to represent the industry in political and stakeholder processes and to provide services to its members. More information and application forms for members can be found under www.jatropha-alliance.org.
This newsletter is mailed several times during the year. If you would rather not receive future editions, please send an email to:info@jatropha-alliance.org