Bartimpex aims at 20% of biofuels market despite risks

Aleksander Gudzowaty, the manager of Bartimpex and one of the richest men in the country, is not intimidated by evidence that use of biofuels is damaging to car engines, and wants to invest up to zl. 80 million in this sector. Bartimpex was until recently one of the most influential companies trading with Russia, but was forced to find new spheres of interest. Gudzowaty is interested in obtaining 20% of the biofuels market and to this end recently bought Kompania Spirytusowa Wratislavia Polmos Wroclaw and is finalizing the purchase of Akwawit. Thanks to this venture, Bartimpex will enter the sector of bioethanol, which is produced by both companies. Gudzowaty also wants to buy Warszawskie Zaklady Tluszczowe in order to increase Bartimpex's control of the production of methyl esters from rapeseed. "The deal's closure has been delayed due to ecological issues concerning the factory, but we hope to finalize the purchase by the end of January," said Gudzowaty. He also commented on information circulating about the drawbacks of biofuels. "The data is incomplete," he said. "The spread of this information is advantageous to the oil lobby. The implementation of regulations concerning the proportion of bioethanol added to gasoline will undermine the existence of the grey zone - the content of water in bioethanol and strict controls over the content of water in gasoline". (Puls Biznesu, p. 3) A.C.