Larry Goodman's Irish Food Processors (IFP) has mopped up a number of used cooking oil collection companies in Northern Ireland and Britain.

Used cooking oil can be utilised to manufacture biodiesel, an alternative to the petroleum-based fuel used to power heavy vehicles and some cars.

The group's Agri Energy subsidiary is set to absorb four cooking oil collectors: Sanders Products in Liverpool; A&B Oils in Southampton; Fryers Oil in Daventry; and ROF Environmental Services in Portadown.

In a statement, it added that it was close to completing a further acquisition.

Agri Energy has also completed an agreement with a Belgian company, De Smet, that will see that company come on board as its technology partner in its proposed biodiesel enterprise.

The purchases in England will give Agri Energy 30 per cent of the UK's biodiesel market.

The companies collect used oil from caterers, which is then processed to produce biodiesel.

Agri Energy intends combining the oil with tallow from its rendering activities.

"These raw materials provide the foundation for Agri Energy's proposed biodiesel and bioenergy activities in Ireland and the UK, which includes IFP's intention to develop biodiesel processing facilities in both markets," it said yesterday.

Agri Energy also intends developing a used cooking oil collection business in the Republic. It said yesterday that it is positioning itself to become the biggest player in this market in Ireland and Britain.

It is also planning to develop a rape seed crushing facility in Ireland.