UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The potential for developing a viable and sustainable biofuels industry in Ukraine will be the focus of an international conference sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, in cooperation with Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs, the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation.

Supported in part by Penn State's Woskob New Century Fund, the Summit on Biofuels Research and Business Opportunities in Ukraine will be held Dec. 9-11 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The conference is aimed at farmers interested in growing and marketing biofuel crops; biofuel producers who need information on equipment, technologies, suppliers and market conditions; and scientists interested in learning about the latest biofuel research.

The summit will cover issues related to several aspects of biofuel production:

--Production and Technology: biodiesel versus ethanol, potential feedstocks and costs, production equipment and conversion processes, design alternatives for processing plants, and the potential for cellulosic ethanol.

--Business and Investments: investment climate and constraints in Ukraine, aspects of running a biofuel business, overview of existing biofuel businesses in Ukraine, financing and credit, documentation required by investors and equipment manufacturers, and the role of gas stations and blenders.

--Economics and Policy: biofuel legislation in Ukraine, effects of biofuels on the economy, and environmental considerations.

The registration fee of $180 includes participation in all sessions, presentation materials on CD-ROM, field trip, lunches, breaks and closing dinner. For more information on the conference agenda, registration, travel and lodging, and payment options, visit the Web at http://conferences.cas.psu.edu, call the Office of Conferences and Short Courses at 814-865-8301 or toll-free at 877-778-2937, or send e-mail to shortcourse@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Deanna Behring, College of Agricultural Sciences director of international programs, at 814-863-0249 or by e-mail at dmb37@psu.edu.

Chuck Gill 814-863-2713 cdg5@psu.edu