Environmental pollution is perhaps the most important contemporary socio-economic problem, which has taken on worrying proportions in highly industrialised countries. It has its origins in ancient times but can also be caused naturally, independently of human activity. Thus, the dislocation of dust from the ground by air currents, the spread of gases resulting from biological processes on the ground and from fumes from volcanic areas and territories have been and still are processes of air pollution.

                Subsequently, due to the evolution of human society, the scientific and technical revolution, there was an open conflict between man and nature. Lack of adequate knowledge, certain interests and the quest for more have led to the weakening of the Earth's natural systems, the depletion of natural resources, etc. Man has become confined to an artificial, cosy environment, which in reality is an unusual 'greenhouse' in an increasingly aggressive natural environment. If pollutants stayed where they were produced, pollution would be easily solved, but in reality they spread into the environment.

                Environmental pollution does not respect the physical boundaries of states, its eradication and the preservation of ecological balance is the responsibility and moral obligation of all governments and public opinion, and this scourge, environmental pollution, is rigorously pursued through measures to prevent or reduce it. The current environmental legislation in our country focuses on these problems in line with European Community legislation.

                Industry, transport of all kinds, the marketing of petroleum products, activities and living in urban areas are strong sources of pollution when they are not well integrated into the general ecological cycle.

Pollution is and will remain a problem that must be the permanent concern not only of scientists but also of local authorities, governments, international organisations, and even every human being.

Of particular importance in Mac Farmacons' work is environmental protection.

Waste edible oils and fats pose significant disposal problems in many parts of the world. In the past, a large proportion of these waste products were used in the production of animal feed. However, due to possible links between BSE and this practice, the use of used edible animal fats for animal feed is not as common as it was in the past, resulting in disposal problems. Just as it is often difficult to prevent contamination of used vegetable oil with animal products during cooking, waste from vegetable oils often has to be treated in a similar way to waste from animal fats.

                One possibility for the disposal of these products is a fuel for transport or other uses. Converting waste oils and fats into biodiesel fuel has many environmental advantages over petroleum-based diesel fuel.

While the use of vegetable or animal oils and fats as fuels might be somewhat surprising at first, if one examines the historical context, it can be seen that the compression ignition engine, first developed to a workable level by the French-born scientist Rudolf Diesel in the late 19th century, was originally designed to run on vegetable oil.

Conversion of waste oils and fats into biodiesel fuels is a possibility but poses some difficulties such as the use of toxic or caustic materials and disposal of the product.

Used vegetable oil is also a waste product that comes from vegetable seed oil, less often from olive oil. The temperature to which the oil is subjected changes its structure, oxidises and absorbs hazardous substances derived from the carbonisation of food waste. The substance has a fluid, viscous and dense dark yellowish-brown aspect that has lost all its originality, purity and generosity.

                Used vegetable oils turn into a special waste that pollutes the soil. Oil that gets into the ground can pollute drinking water. Impressively, one litre of oil can contaminate a million litres of water.

The objectives of the Environmental Protection Strategy are:

• The environmental impact study for the biodiesel production plant shows that the technological processes do not have a significant impact on the environment, and by fulfilling all the obligations of the Integrated Environmental Authorisation our company ensures all the necessary conditions for the production of biodiesel without negative environmental implications.