Neste Oil receives loan for feedstock research

April 1, 2011

Neste Oil is serious about expanding the range of feedstocks used to produce its renewable diesel product, NexBTL. The company has received a loan totaling roughly $70 million for research and development from the Nordic Investment Bank. Of the money invested into R&D in the past, 80 percent has gone into feedstock research. The company has recognized recent progress regarding woody biomass and algae oil research, and is also looking into jatropha oil, camelina oil, waste from fish processors and tall oil. Lars Peter Lindfors, senior vice president for Neste’s technology and strategy division, said the loan shows the company’s commitment to raw materials, and the that the additional funding will secure the continuation of cutting-edge R&D work and the future development of the NexBTL renewable diesel technology.

The Singapore renewable diesel facility Neste opened this year uses mainly palm oil, but the company hopes to use more of the waste created during the process. Stearin, a byproduct of the palm oil production process will account for more than 20 percent of Neste’s renewable input, palm fatty acid distillate will reach 5 to 10 percent, waste animal fats will total roughly 20 percent, and the rest will be rapeseed oil. Matti Lehumus, Neste’s executive vice president of oil products and renewables, described the requirements for new raw materials as materials that are produced sustainably, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer a secure supply.

While Neste Oil’s renewable diesel efforts continue to expand, Neste Jacobs, an engineering branch that specializes in the petrochemical, oil and gas, chemical and biorefining industries, has also been busy. Neste Jacob’s has opened a branch office in Abu Dhabi to support local oil refining, gas and petrochemical companies the Middle East, and areas that managing director of Neste Jacobs, Jarmo Suominen, said will “bring unique added value to our clients in the Middle East.” 

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