Mission Biofuels has appointed KNM Process Systems as turnkey EPCC contractor for its second 250,000 tonnes per annum expansion biodiesel production facility.

The facility will be built adjacent to Mission Biofuels almost complete 100,000 tonnes per annum biodiesel refinery at Kuantan Port in Malaysia.

Under the agreement, KNM will build the plant using the AXENS second generation Esterfip-H trans-esterification technology for a total contract value of Aus$41 million. Mission will simultaneously sign a Technology Transfer Agreement with AXENS, a subsidiary of the French Institute of Petroleum.

Mission Biofuels chairman Dario Amara says: "Although Mission is satisfied with the Crown Iron Works technology and the work performed so far by Crown on its first biodiesel facility, Mission considered it its duty to take a fresh review of the technologies available. This was important in light of the multitude of technological advancements in the biofuels industry worldwide and to enable Mission to be able to stay at the forefront of any technological development for years to come".

Mission Biofuels managing director Nathan Mahalingam says: "Mission considered and evaluated bids from four technology providers before making the decision to choose the AXENS Esterfip-H trans-esterification technology".