Construction of Ireland's first commercial biodiesel plant was due to get under way in Co Wexford today.
The €21m facility in New Ross is due to be up and running by the middle of next year.
It will convert a combination of rapeseed oil, animal fats and recycled vegetable oils from restaurants and fast food outlets into road fuels for Irish trucks and cars.
The use of biodiesel instead of diesel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
The company plans to produce 34m litres of biodiesel each year, which will be the equivalent of taking 25,000 cars off the road in terms of reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
Chairman of the company PJ Darcy said it would be targeting big fleet operators such as Bus Éireann.
