Stephen Hurton, owner of Proper Oils is an amiable man from the first encounter. Upon learning about his farming background up in his home county of Lincolnshire I quickly noted a farmer’s demeanor. Open-faced, passionate about his produce and a hard grafter, he balances both the manual and administrative sides of his business with drive and enthusiasm.
Intertwining his logistical skills from his farming background, understanding waste products from working in the food industry and the demand for environmentally sound fuel, Stephen has found a niche in the market. His business is beneficial to small local businesses, the petrol consuming public and the international need to find and utilise clean, green energy.
Proper Oils is a collection and refinery business operating in Twickenham, south west of London. They will travel to and collect for free from anywhere in London and within 25 miles along the M3/M4 corridor.
A second hand articulated lorry with curtained sides houses the onsite refinery. This concept cuts costs on an expensive ventilation system that would be required if housed in a building.
In the refinery, the cooking oil is heated, reducing the viscosity through a process called transesterification. In order for this process to occur, the oils are mixed with sodium hydroxide and methanol.
What was formerly cooking oil then achieves a composition similar to that of fossil or mineral diesel, obtaining the chemical name “fatty acid methyl ester or FAME” or the commercial name BioDiesel.
BioDiesel can be used as fuel, replacing traditional, and very polluting mineral and/ or fossil based diesels.
The “green” side to this business is that Stephen is taking a waste product that would normally be dumped, converting it into a sustainable BioDiesel, a carbon dioxide neutral product that does not contribute to the net increase of greenhouse gas.
As well as being biodegradable, biodiesel releases less polluting emissions from the vehicle.
This company caters to 800 local businesses, who donate their used cooking oils. These businesses benefit by Proper Oils taking away the by-products in their original containers, recycling them and saving the client around £200.00 annually.
Stephen Hurton’s objective is focused on driving Proper Oils towards International Biofuel Standards. He has found a demand in this current and future market, developing it in a positive way. By starting out small and working locally, the outcome is positive and realistic both environmentally and financially.
www.properoils.co.uk
By Sonja Fowler