Neste Oil expands input stream to include jatropha, camelina

In an effort to diversify its feedstock portfolio to allow for input flexibility, Neste Oil said it plans to use jatropha and camelina oils to produce its NExBTL renewable diesel fuel. By introducing these new raw materials in its feedstock base, Neste Oil will increase the proportion of nonfood materials and other inputs that can be grown in cultivated areas less suited for food crops.

While limited volumes of jatropha and camelina oils are available for Neste Oil to produce NExBTL, the company stated that it intends to continue its use of palm oil and stearin and palm oil fatty acid distillate byproducts, in addition to rapeseed oil and waste animal fat from the food processing industry. As a result of these efforts, the company said the proportion of its crude palm oil use is expected to be less than 50 percent of the total biobased raw materials used in the production of its renewable fuel in 2011.

Neste Oil’s renewable diesel fuel is produced by hydrotreating a variety of feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and waste fats. About 80 percent of the company’s research and development costs are dedicated to researching renewable raw materials, the company stated in a release. In the beginning of 2011, Neste Oil announced its aim to increase the proportion of different byproducts and waste stream materials, such as PFAD and waste animal fat, in its raw material procurement. The waste and side streams are expected to account for approximately 80 percent of the total raw material procurement in 2011 for Neste Oil’s NExBTL production, according to the company.

In March, Neste Oil celebrated the grand opening of its NExBTL renewable diesel production plant in Singapore. The startup of the Singapore plant took place in November. Neste Oil's Singapore plant was completed on-schedule and on-budget and marks a major step in its cleaner traffic strategy, the company stated. The plant is capable of producing 800,000 metric tons annually of NExBTL renewable diesel.

Additionally, the company said it intends to continue researching the potential use of cellulosic and lignocellulosic feedstocks, such as algae and woody biomass, in its feedstock stream.