Zeons Corporation (ZEON)

[Pennimon]

Shipping Biodiesel and Hope to India
For Pure Energy Corporation, shipping U.S.-made biodiesel to India is more than just another export opportunity. It's a chance to help a nation of 1.2 billion people set meaningful, lasting fuel quality standards.
By Tom Bryan


When New Jersey-based Pure Energy Corporation shipped its second consignment of U.S.-produced biodiesel to India in late August, it did so with an important personal guarantee from its president and CEO, Irshad Ahmed.

"Whether we ship a gallon of biodiesel or 100 drums, we promise to showcase the best quality product the United States has to offer," Ahmed said. "We have an obligation to help India set a standard."

Pure Energy is not a biodiesel producer. Rather, the corporation is a technology provider and an international distributor that purchases—and guarantees the quality of—biodiesel produced in the United States for export to other countries.


But make no mistake about it. Pure Energy isn't just another random exporter trying to capitalize on the deficiencies of a nation in need.

The truth is, shipping U.S. biodiesel overseas, especially halfway around the world to India, is not economical in small amounts. Pure Energy is shipping what Ahmed called "decent amounts—but a drop in the bucket really—not the shiploads one might think." He said the economies of scale that would make biodiesel exportation profitable are in the range of "tens of millions" of gallons per year.
"The shipping costs are prohibitive," he explained. "The costs would eat up a company if it didn't handle everything in a very strategic manner."