A NEW plant to make oil from wood may soon be set up in Bolton

It may not be on the scale of wine from water, but a Lancashire company aims to demonstrate how wood and other vegetable solids can be turned into oil.

The natural process is currently used in many countries throughout the world - except this one.

Now, Lancashire company Ormrod Diesels is spearheading plans to bring the first British 'Flash Pyrolysis Plant' to Britain. And it hopes to base it in Bolton.

A presentation outlining the process and aiming to attract the attention of "tree people, waste people, agriculturalists and environmentalists" was taking place today at the North West Water Treatment Works in Rivington.

Mr John Leech, of Ormrod Diesels, explained: "We are all interested in the concept of converting waste into energy.

"We are involved in reusable energy - for example creating electricity from the methane given out by landfill sites.

"We already get oil gained out of wood and waste materials from Canada, Finland, Italy and other countries, so why not this country?

"The interest is immense. We already have one or two possible sites offered on a temporary basis, and the plant is relocatable. We could even have multiple sites producing the oil."

European funding has already been obtained for the "multi-million pound" project.

Advantages of process include its renewable nature and positive contribution to the environment by helping to combat the 'greenhouse effects'.

Guest speakers discussing the plans at today's presentation, included Prof Tony Bridgwater of the Energy Research Group at Aston University, John Leech of Ormrod Diesels/Bio Engines Ltd in Lancashire, and David Kershaw of Hick Hargreaves Engineers in Bolton.

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