Statement re D1 Oils

RNS Number:7088U
D1 Oils Plc
28 November 2005




                                                              28th November 2005

           Leading Indian Scientist to Head D1 Oils Jatropha Research

D1 Oils plc (D1), the UK-based global producer of biodiesel from renewable
energy crops, has appointed Dr. Sunil Puri, a leading Indian agronomist, to head
D1's Product Development Centre (PDC) in Coimbatore, India. Dr. Puri will lead
D1's expanding research programme to develop jatropha into a commercial crop
producing consistently high yields of vegetable oil for the production of
biodiesel. Dr. Puri is a leading expert on the agronomy of jatropha and was
recently selected as a Fellow of India's National Academy of Agricultural
Sciences.

Dr. Puri will head research to improve the yields of highly productive varieties
of jatropha collected by D1 and to identify the varieties that grow best in
particular soil and climatic conditions. Dr Puri will also have overall
responsibility in India for the further development of commercial cultivation
practices and training programmes.

India is expected to be a key location for the production and consumption of
jatropha biodiesel. The largest component of D1's increased two year planting
target of 267,000 hectares will take place in India. Planting is being
undertaken by contract farmers through D1's Indian joint venture, D1 Mohan Bio
Oils, and by third parties with whom D1 has concluded oil supply agreements and
to whom D1 provides seeds and planting support. D1 recently announced an oil
supply agreement for oil harvested from 40,000 hectares of jatropha to be
planted by PManek Biofarms in Gujarat.

Dr. Puri's research experience has been in the selection and development of
genetically superior tree species for agroforestry and planting on waste and
degraded lands. Dr. Puri co-ordinated jatropha research and development across
35 leading Indian agricultural and agroforestry institutions on behalf of the
Indian National Oil Seeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD), a
department of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture. He has also been involved for
over two decades with the practical implementation of new forestry crops,
including the organisation of education programmes for farmers and district
forestry officers. Dr. Puri joins D1 from Indira Gandhi Agricultural University,
Raipur, where he was previously Professor and Head of the Forestry Department.

Philip Wood, CEO of D1, said, "This is a key appointment. Dr. Puri is one of
India's leading agricultural scientists and an established expert on jatropha.
We aim to deliver new varieties of high yielding jatropha that will be the
global benchmark for biodiesel feedstock. Dr. Puri's experience in the selection
and development of jatropha tree varieties and the improvement of their yields
will be crucial to this effort. His involvement will help us to extend further
our lead as pioneers in the commercialisation of jatropha and meet an aggressive
programme to plant high yielding trees. We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Puri
to our strengthening management team."

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Puri said: "D1 Oils' reputation in India is
pre-eminent in this field because of its selection of jatropha seed as a source
of biodiesel feedstock. My aim will be to increase sustainable economic returns
from jatropha planting as quickly as possible on a large scale, by making
available suitable good quality planting stock and developing and executing best
practice planting programmes. With the dedicated team at D1, I am confident of
achieving significant progress in this under developed crop. It is a privilege
to be joining the company."

Contact

D1 Oils:
Graham Prince, Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7321 3892
Mobile: +44 (0) 7973 323840

Brunswick Group:
Helen Barnes, Associate Partner
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959

D1 Oils India
Steve Douty
Regional Director
Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 3885

Notes to Editors

D1 is a UK-based global producer of biodiesel from renewable energy crops. It is
the owner of technical, marketing, logistical and other intellectual property
related to the establishment, development and harvesting of jatropha
plantations, the extraction of oil from the harvested seed and the production of
biodiesel and other valuable by-products from jatropha and other vegetable oils.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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