European producers demand more sustainable biodiesel Made in the EU

A new document from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) shows that there is a risk that Europe will not be able to meet the growing demand for sustainable liquid fuels by the transport industry, due to the EU’s own legislation on biofuels, and calls for more sustainable biofuels Made in EU.

According to the EBB, demand for green liquid fuels in Europe will double by 2030, as the EU moves forward on its decarbonisation path in the maritime, aviation and heavy road transport sectors. The FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation mandates will require some 42 million tonnes of oil equivalent to meet the targets set out in the revised renewable energy directive.

In addition, euractiv reports, the extension of the EU carbon market to private vehicles is expected to boost demand for low-carbon fuels ahead of the mass adoption of zero-emission vehicles across the bloc.

EBB notes that biofuels remain, currently, the main substitute for fossil fuels in much of the transport sector, accounting for around four-fifths of renewable energy in this sector in 2020. However, the Council warns that unless the caps on biofuels are removed, Europe will not meet its green transport targets.

“The Fit for 55 package is driving increased demand for renewable liquid fuels with lower availability of raw materials, introducing diverse sustainability frameworks and relying heavily on the technologies and fuels of the future. All this can lead to a reduction in the contribution that sustainable biodiesel can make,” says EBB Secretary General Xavier Noyon.

“As European producers of sustainable biodiesel, we are convinced that biodiesel is key to effectively decarbonising all modes of transport, especially in new sectors such as heavy-duty vehicles, maritime and aviation, and the Commission’s proposals reflect this,” adds Kristell Guizouarn, President of the EBB.

Fuel made in EU

In its assessment of the Fit for 55 package, EBB notes, among other things, that the European industry in the sector is prepared to develop an EU-made green fuel to improve energy security and reduce diesel imports, contribute to climate change mitigation and strengthen the independence and incomes of European farmers.

The Council explains that, in the initial phase, the European cultivation of rapeseed, sunflower and soybeans provides protein meal for animal feed, decreases imports from third countries and diverts fat and oil residues from landfills, while reducing the use of fossil diesel. In addition, the main by-products of biodiesel, such as green glycerin or bio-naphtha, replace fossil chemicals in a wide variety of fields such as cosmetics, food, feed or polymers.

In addition, biodiesel in the form of hydrogen-treated vegetable oil (HVO) and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) can replace fossil fuels in the maritime sector, agriculture, construction machinery and heating boilers. As a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) it also replaces the fossil kerosene used by aircraft.

Source: Renewable Energies