As a key component for production, fuel is regarded as the essential resource for the transportation industry. Just like in the road, air and sea transportation sectors, the railway industry is now confronted with the need to master the supply of fuel both when it comes to the quality of its transportation and in terms of volume.

Over the past three decades, the railway sector has experienced a wave of privatization in the African continent. The major objective of this approach is to both improve the management of resources and to substantially optimize the socio-environmental framework.

With its experience in the railway sector in Africa, the promoter of the project, PREMIUM MANAGEMENT sprl, aspires to develop a set of tools that meet the increasingly complex demands of the end-user.

Through analysis of various sources of innovation, the management has concentrated its efforts on the development of oleaginous that can be turned into carburant, the Jatropha Curcas. →

The Jatropha Curcas: a plant with ecological and industrial properties native to Central America, Jatropha Curcas has been identified as the best oilseed for fuel oil and Biodiesel (methyl ester of vegetable oil) production. The short period it takes to grow, its resistant nature and capacity to adapt to such various agro-climatic conditions are all characteristics that make Jatropha Curcas a preferred choice in the context of energy development on biomass.

From an historical perspective, the importation by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century spread the plant to India and Africa, where the toxicity of the leaves still remains a natural protection against animals.

Subsequently, industrial production took place in Cape Verde in the 19th century in order to supply Lisbon’s oil lamps. This operation was quickly abandoned by the outbreak of paraffin oil market, at a lower cost.