Mannheim, 25 March 2009 - CropEnergies AG, Mannheim, one of the leading bioethanol producers in Europe, is entering a fuel and technology partnership with the Volvo tuning specialist HEICO SPORTIV, Weiterstadt.
The joint motor sport involvement is designed to demonstrate that bioethanol derived from renewable raw materials is not only a climate friendly fuel, but also an extremely powerful one. CropPower85, the standard-compliant E85 fuel from CropEnergies, is also sold at German filling stations, and is a real alternative to fossil fuels. The joint racing project, a 350 HP bioethanol-fuelled Volvo C30 T5, will be starting in the Nürburgring 24-hour race from May 21 to 24, 2009, and in other events.
HEICO SPORTIV is one of the most renowned tuning specialists for Volvo cars, and is considered the number one address in the world for Volvo performance cars. In addition to CropEnergies, the project is being supported by the Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli, among others. HEICO SPORTIV has been active with alternative fuels in motor sports since 2007.
As a so-called E85 fuel, CropPower85 is a bioethanol-petrol blend with a bioethanol proportion of about 85%, which is suitable for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). These vehicles can be delivered ex factory, or have conventional petrol engines converted, to run either on traditional petrol or on E85, or on any blend of the two. In Germany, Volvo, Ford and Saab are already offering such vehicles. Further manufacturers intend to add FFVs to their ranges in 2009. At over 104 octane (RON), E85 is one of the most powerful fuels ever to have been available at a filling station.
CropEnergies has been selling E85 quality fuel since 2006 under the brand name of CropPower85 through filling stations in Germany. CropEnergies took an active part in the creation of DIN 51625 for E85, which came into force in 2008, since ensuring a high quality for the fuel is the basis for developing the young market for E85.
In Germany, there are already over 230 filling stations selling E85 at their pumps. With CropPower85, CropEnergies is the leading supplier in this market. The bioethanol used in CropPower85 is produced from sustainable, domestic raw materials - cereals and sugar beet. When the bioethanol is burned, only as much CO2 is released as the plants absorbed during their growth. Thus bioethanol makes a contribution to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, reduces the dependency on imported energy and at the same time increases the value added in rural areas.
The CropEnergies AG
The CropEnergies Group - a member of the Südzucker Group - is a leading European producer of sustainably manufactured bioethanol for the fuel sector.
"Crop" stands for "creative regeneration of power". Energy in the form of bioethanol is produced from renewable resources - grain and sugar beets. With subsidiaries in Germany, France, and Belgium, CropEnergies has established itself in a growing market in just a few years. CropEnergies considers itself a pioneer on the German bioethanol market and expands its market position in Europe. The shares of CropEnergies AG (ISIN DE000A0LAUP1) are listed in the Prime Standard at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.se im amtlichen Handel (Prime Standard) notiert.