Decision by APBT Australia to increase capacity of Canola processing plant

3/6/99
The decision by APBT Australia to implement phase two of its $17 million canola oil processing plant at Albany and bring it to 250,000 tonne capacity on construction is good news for the town and for farmers, Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan said today.
The company believes this move will ensure that the plant will be more competitive than its original plan to build a 100,000 tonne interim facility and expand it later, Mr Cowan said.
"In full operation, the plant will employ 35 people and generate spending of $7 million annually on goods and services, many sourced locally.
"It will also provide added security for canola growers with annual purchases of canola seed worth $60 million at today's prices."
Mr Cowan said the Government had previously agreed to provide an interest-free loan to cover 75 per cent of the headworks costs for the plant, which totalled more than $1.2 million for sewerage, electricity and water services.
He said this expenditure would result in an extension of Albany's sewerage scheme to service other industries in the port area and lessen the threat of pollution in the city's magnificent harbour.
Mr Cowan said the WA Government, through the Department of Commerce and Trade and the Great Southern Development Commission, worked with APBT for more than four years to attract the project.
APBT is a Singapore-based joint venture between Vredelco Food Industries Pty Ltd and Regional Investment Company Ltd.
Vredelco manufactures and distributes oil and fat products for domestic, commercial and industrial customers in more than 40 countries. Regional Investment Company Ltd is a venture fund substantially subscribed by the Economic Development Board of Singapore.
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595