New Zealand’s ‘Brewtroleum’ first commercially available beer-derived biofuel

New Zealand drivers will be first in the world to fuel their vehicles with biofuel made from a beer by-product. Kiwi company DB Export launched their ‘Brewtroleum’ product last Monday at an Auckland service station, inviting motorists to try out their new fuel for free, reported the NZ Herald.

DB Export is the first to make beer-derived biofuel commercially available. ‘Brewtroleum’ is made from mixing 10 per cent ethanol, extracted from the yeast left over after beer is brewed, and 90 per cent petrol.

A starting batch of 300,000 litres of fuel will be commercialized by sixty Gull gas stations. According to the DB Export team, ‘Brewtroleum’ emits 8 per cent less carbon than normal petroleum, while delivering the same vehicle performance.

“We saw the opportunity to take the natural by-product of the brewing process and turn it into something that can genuinely help the environment," said Sean O’Donnell, head of domestic beer marketing for DB Export. He also explained that ‘Brewtroleum’ is an innovative product which started over a few beers.

Although the product has only been available for a few days, spokesman for DB Export Simon Smith has told PetrolPlaza the public´s response has been fantastic. “We’ve even had an encouraging note from Greenpeace,” he said.

“Drink beer and save the world,” according to Mr. Smith that will be the company´s new tag-line after the success of ‘Brewtroleum’. “Essentially we also need people to help by drinking more DB Export beer, so we are able to produce more biofuel”.

David Bodger, general manager of Gull New Zealand, said Gull was always interested in new biofuel alternatives. "We applaud DB Export for showing a bit of Kiwi ingenuity. It just goes to show how many opportunities are out there to make viable biofuels and help the environment," he said, as reported by 3 News.

Discuss