ANNEX IV BIODIESEL PRODUCTION PROCESS

1. Biodiesel production means treatment of the fat fraction of animal by-products (animal fat) under the following conditions:

(a)

The fat fraction of animal by-products is first processed using:

(i)

processing method 1 as referred to in Annex V, Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 in case of Category 1 or 2 materials; and

(ii)

any of the processing methods 1 to 5 or 7 or, in the case of material derived from fish, method 6 as referred to in Annex V, Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 in case of Category 3 materials;

(b)

The processed fat is separated from the protein and insoluble impurities are removed to a level not exceeding 0,15 % in weight, and subsequently submitted to esterfication and transesterfication. However, esterfication is not required for Category 3 processed fat. For esterfication the pH is reduced to less than 1 by adding sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄; 1,2-2 molar) or an equivalent acid and the mixture is heated to 72 °C for 2 hours during which it is intensely mixed. Transesterfication shall be carried out by increasing the pH to about 14 with 15 % potassium hydroxide (KOH; 1-3 molar) or with an equivalent base at 35 °C to 50 °C for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Transesterfication shall be carried out twice under the conditions described above using a new base solution. This process is followed by refinement of the products including vacuum distillation at 150 °C, leading to biodiesel;

(c)

In case of biodiesel resulting from the treatment of Category 1 material an appropriate gas clean-up system shall be in place to exclude emission of possible non-combusted protein residues when the biodiesel is combusted.

2. Animal fat is processed for the production of biodiesel consisting of methyl esters of fatty acids. This is achieved by submitting the fat to esterfication and/or transesterfication. Subsequent refinement of the products including vacuum distillation leads to biodiesel, which is used as fuel for combustion.