09/12/2004 THAI PRESS REPORTS - A Japanese scientist has unveiled thelatest technology to produce ethanol and bio-diesel to help replace theuse of fossil fuels in the near future.

The new technology aims to extract fuel from biochemical substances foundin wood, Prof. Dr. Shiro Saka of Kyoto University's Department ofSocio-environment Energy Science told an international meeting on "Energyand sustainable environment" in Thailand's southern beach resort of HuaHin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on Thursday.

Prof. Dr. Saka told more than 300 international energy experts that hisdepartment was studying how to extract lignocelluloses -- a biochemicalsubstance found in wood which can be used to produce ethanol.

The research project also plans to study commercial methods of producingthe substance.

If the project succeeds, Japan should be able to produce more than eightbillion litres of high grade ethanol a year.

New technology, known as "catalyst-free method" can also producebio-diesel, by turning used vegetables or animal oil into bio-diesel fuel,Prof. Dr. Saka also told the meeting.

Japan has stepped up its efforts to find alternative fuels to replacecarbon-based fossil fuel to help reduce the green house effects caused bythe emission of gases from burning of fossil fuel.

According to the Kyoto Pact, industrial countries in the European Union(EU) and Japan must reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 6% by 2010.

"Currently, the Japanese government has tested the use of E3, ethanolmixed with benzene in the ratio of 3 in 100.

Further studies are aimed at increasing the ethanol mixture to 10%," Prof.Dr. Saka said.

However, the E10 will have to wait until the year 2020 when automobilemanufacturers alter their engines and make them compatible with E10.