Malta, Montana company, Peaks and Prairies Inc., gets $250,000 grant to test vegetable-based Eco-Oil

A Malta manufacturing company is getting a $250,000 boost in its quest to create the first certified vegetable-based motor oil for retail use.

Peaks and Prairies http://www.peaksandprairies.com/ will use the U.S. Department of Energy grant to test its product, Eco-Oil.

The product is made from canola and appears to be 90 to 93 percent biodegradable, said Tony Kavanagh, the company’s general manager.

"Our tests show it increases horsepower and fuel mileage and reduces emissions when compared with petroleum-based synthetic oil," Kavanagh said.

The grant will help pay for more testing in independent labs, he said.

"We need more testing to become certified by the American Petroleum Institute," he said. "Most automobile manufacturers require the use of API products to protect warranties."

By JO DEE BLACK
Tribune Staff Writer

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