Chicago-based biodiesel developer Benefuel announced an agreement today to get the solid catalysts for its system from New Delhi's Sud-Chemie India, a unit of Munich, Germany-based Sud-Chemie.

Financial terms for the manufacturing and supply contract were not disclosed.

"This partnership with SCIL validates the unique attributes of our catalyst technology and the ability of our business model to serve international markets," said Rob Tripp, CEO of Benefuel.

"SCIL has decades of experience with catalyst manufacturing, including extensive experience in the chemicals market."

Benefuel's solid catalyst technology got its start in India, where it was developed by chemists and chemical engineers at the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune.

The company's biofuel process also produces a highly pure glycerin co-product, which Benefuel said would provide an additional revenue stream.

In October, Benefuel announced plans for a $25 million facility using its novel solid catalyst that it said can turn almost any vegetable oil or high free fatty acid animal fat directly into biodiesel without the need for pre-processing (see Benefuel bringing solid catalyst biodiesel to market).

The 10 million gallon per year pilot plant will be located in Seymour, Ind., and is expected to begin production by the end of this year.