Maple Leaf Reforestation Signs MOU for Three Bio-Fuel Joint Ventures in China

Calgary-based Maple Leaf Reforestation Inc. announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Biodis Engineering Ireland Limited, a partially owned subsidiary of Biodis Engineering Swiss S.A., for three separate joint venture agreements to secure feedstock oils for the production of bio-diesel in China. The first JV will see the installation of a bio-diesel plant made by Biodis with a minimum capacity of 7,000 tons per annum in Zhanjiang city. A joint venture company with Maple Leaf and Biodis as equal partners will be created for this project. The second and third JVs are for the construction of a facility for the collection and crushing of feedstock plants and the gathering of recycled vegetable oil with a capacity of 10,000 tons per month in Zhanjiang, and the acquisition of land in different regions of China to grow one or several types of feedstock plants in order to supply 100,000 to 150,000 tons of feedstock oil per year. Separate joint venture companies will be established for each project and Maple Leaf will have a minimum stake of 25% in each company.