YAKIMA, WA (PRWEB) July 5, 2006 -- In May, 2006, BioTech was awarded a contract to design, build, and install a transesterification system for the Canola seed crushing plant being built in the Sunnyside area by Natural Selection Farms, Inc. owner, Ted Durfey. Durfey has been heavily involved in extensive research on biosolids and biodiesel, in conjunction with Washington State University, for several years. He is among the most successful growers of Canola in the state and has about 2000 acres under contract for crushing this year. The seed crushing and transesterification plant slated to go into production later this summer is expected to produce upwards of 380,000 gallons of biodiesel per year.

BioTech President, Glen Blomgren, said, "having Zine Badissy at the helm of our company will enhance client confidence and will allow BioTech to expand into new markets." Badissy brings a wealth of experience and resources to this recent start-up company and will take an active role in management decisions. In addition to his extensive farming operations, Badissy owns successful airline support companies based in the Seattle area.

Badissy will plant about 200 acres to Canola this fall, with plans to expand Canola acreage up to 3000 acres over the next 2-3 years. Blomgren and Badissy are working with government agencies and political leaders to allow conversion of some suitable land, now enrolled in "set-aside" subsidy programs, to the production of renewable fuels crops. "This would provide a way to meet a portion of our fuel needs without displacing food crops," Blomgren said. Canola and other oilseed crops can often be raised on marginal ground with little or no irrigation, making them ideal rotation crops and/or supplemental cash crops for local farmers.

"I am looking forward to helping BioTech grow to meet the ever-increasing demand for renewable fuels," Badissy said.

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