A brewery in New Zealand has announced that it has created a new type of biofuel using leftover yeast from the process of brewing beer.
Auckland-based DB Export manufactures the new fuel, which has been nicknamed ‘Brewtroleum’, from waste yeast slurry, which would otherwise be turned into animal feeds or simply discarded.
The leftover yeast is then turned into ethanol and, when mixed with regular petroleum, can be turned into E10 eco-fuel, touted as a greener and more sustainable alternative to regular fuels.
Although the process isn’t particularly revolutionary in itself, as E10 is already available alongside other alternative fuels in forecourts, DB Export says this is the first time it’s been made from beer.
E10 has traditionally been made from ethanol derived from corn, but a 2013 investigation from the Associated Press found that increase corn production could cause great environmental harm.
DB claims that using yeast leftover is a much more sustainable method; it says that, seeing as beer is made all over the world, it makes financial sense to capitalise on the large amount of leftover yeast.
Brewtroleum will be available at 60 fuel stations across New Zealand, though whether or not production of the eco-fuel will be extended outside the country is unclear at the moment.
Alternative fuels are proving to be increasingly popular with British drivers after a market study last year found that 65 per cent of Brits would consider buying an alternately-fuelled vehicle.
According to the stats, the majority of drivers would consider purchasing either a hybrid or electric car in the next two years, while less common fuels like hydrogen also proved to be popular.
So, would you drive a car powered by beer? Why not have your say on our Facebook or Twitter channels!
