Why should I join the Bio-power UK Association?
No one is forced to join, but there are clear commercial benefits in joining, in terms of publicity, quality control, mutual support, benefits of bulk purchases, in addition to the feeling of comradeship in working with many people who share the same ideas and objectives, and enthusiasm for the promotion of bio-fuels.

Will Bio-power UK create a cartel for fixing prices?
This is not the intention, the issue of pricing is entirely with each producer, but it is a matter that could be discussed and agreements made by all members.  Remember our aim is to promote and facilitate the use of  non-fossil fuels.  We therefore need to be competitive with the price of fossil fuels, and at the same time able to make a viable profit from our work. Will joining restrict my potential for expansion?
No, any member wanting to expand their plant may do so at any time.  The membership fee is proportional to the out put of  fuel.  The designated area may be enlarged by re-registration and would be subject to the same form of review.  Each new application will be considered by the registration committee.  There may be advantages for the creation of a new company. Will I be able to claim a larger area if I want to expand?
Yes, subject to the approval of the association and consultation with the regional group.  However, it may be better to form a new company or trading identity to cover that area to which you may be a director or partner. Will I be prevented from selling my product to a customer outside my designated area?
No, so long as any associate operator within that area is in agreement, or the sale is conducted though that operator. Will I be able to trade in other energy products?
Yes, and we expect to use the network to sell heat exchangers, conversion kits for the use of SVO, and other bio-fuels used in vehicles, motors, generators, furnaces, and shipping. Can I still make bio-diesel in the form of RME - or do I have to make only MWVF?
Any member may make what ever sort of fuel they want to so long as payment is made on a pro-rata basis to the Association.  We must be open-minded about the development of all forms of alternative fuel.  However, only fuel made according to our approved methodology can be called a 'Bio-power' fuel. Can I sell my bio-power associate business to another trader?
Yes, but the new trader must re-register with bio-power(UK) in the normal way.  Membership of the association is through a person, not the company, and it is not transferable. Does membership of the Association provide any insurance or professional indemnity?
Not at present, but this is a matter that the membership can decide upon.  The Association could offer all kinds of specific services at competitive rates, including buildings, business and public insurance, professional indemnity, planning consultancy, legal support, health & safety advice etc. How are disputes resolved?
Disputes between members are resolved through impartial arbitration committee, or failing that through a resolution taken by council or by the whole membership at an AGM. What other services might the Association provide?
The range of services provided to the bio-fuel trade are decided by the voting membership, but the following have been suggested:

Buying materials in bulk for distribution at wholesale prices to members Buying expendable items like tubs, jerry cans, processing tanks, IBC tanks at low prices Helping with advertising, accountancy, dealing with tax and legal matters, planning permission, compliance with other regulators etc. Promoting the use of bio-fuels by the publication of a data-base and map of all producers in UK. Collecting and distributing waste fat resources to optimise the potential of waste fat as a bio-fuel Helping members to set up small scale power generation units and connect to the grid Brokering best possible tariff rates Ensuring UK wide consistency in application of taxation and any other form of legislation Helping members to set up special interest groups to deal with subjects like, power generation, ethanol production, steam plant, product development, etc. Dealing with issues arising from the insurance and warranty of vehicles Helping with the design and fabrication of processing plant Circulating current information on best practice, and new methods of treatment / processing of fuels etc. Acting on behalf of the bio-fuel industry when dealing with environmental issues, and in negotiations with the government on licensing, taxation etc. Training new producers in all aspect of the making of bio-fuels Research into the improvement and use of bio-fuels and new forms of bio-fuel Monitoring and improvement of fuel quality provided by members Development, manufacture and distribution of parts needed to convert engines to run on bio-fuels Campaigning on taxation and other forms of legislation Running conferences, courses, seminars and promotional events to draw in more members and also encourage more customers to use our form of fuel Taking part in trade fairs and other activities that will promote sales Providing central services like the supply of solvents, and the chemical marker that identifies our fuel.

Is membership of the Association open to people working overseas?  
Our aims are as set out in the Charter.  We want to help and encourage anyone who is committed to working by the ethical principles set out in the Charter. Our joint task is to convert as much naturally occurring potential energy stock in to a non-fossil fuel that can be made available for use as a viable alternative to petrochemical fuels. We welcome members from overseas, who may in time form similar Bio-power networks in their own country.  We will arrange for the franchise of the formula and the production method but the form of agreement is different. Why not simply form a multi-national franchise?
A franchise is basically a top down structure.  We need to challenge this form of business which centralises wealth and power.  We also need to challenge the form of business that allowed the multi-nationals to develop their stranglehold over the fuel market in the first place, which has led to the exclusive development of petrochemical fuels.  If there was a truly open market for fuels, then the public would have the choice of non-fossil fuels ages ago.  Remember that the original engine designed by Rudolf Diesel ran on peanut oil.  This was SVO, not FAME!
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I hope you found  the information on this site useful.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

John Nicholson

October 2002 December 2003