In recent years, biodiesel producers have increasingly adopted waste-based feedstocks to remain competitive and increase sustainability in a volatile market. However, due to the variable quality of the feedstocks, particularly with free fatty acid (FFA) content, they are faced with processing challenges that lead to operational bottlenecks.

Building on the success of the Eversa portfolio, Novonesis’ new biosolution Eversa Advance tackles the challenges of processing feedstocks with up to 20% FFA. Introduced at ENOV2024, Brazil’s largest annual event for oils and fats processors, the product helps biodiesel producers improve operational efficiency, reduce total pre-treatment operating costs by up to 45%*, and lower their environmental footprint.

“Biodiesel producers know that feedstock flexibility and sustainability has become a strategic imperative. The demand for renewable fuels, and thereby feedstocks, is increasing, while global policies promote the use of waste-based feedstocks. With Eversa Advance, we help biodiesel producers increase their feedstock flexibility and unlock the full potential of their plants with little capital expenditure and low risk,” says Hans Ole Klingenberg, VP Marketing at Novonesis.

Olfar, one of the largest industrial biodiesel groups in Brazil, is the first to implement Novonesis’ patent pending FlexFit Advance technology, using the Eversa Advance biosolution. Their plant is now operating successfully and producing biodiesel.

“At Olfar, we’re committed to producing energy for the world in a reliable and sustainable manner. To us, Eversa® Advance is a pathway to diversifying our feedstocks and more efficient processing of waste-based feedstocks as well as smoother operations and lower costs” says Marcelo Pauletti, head of biodiesel at Olfar. “Novonesis contributed with world class technology and a team of experienced and dedicated professionals to our project. Their collaboration was key to Olfar’s successful implementation of Eversa Advance.”

Overcoming processing challenges and unlocking advantages

Eversa Advance has been tailored to offer numerous advantages to both biodiesel producers who already process feedstocks with up to 20% FFA, and those who wish to do so.

For producers already working with these feedstocks, Eversa Advance delivers higher ester yields with less side-reactions and lower energy usage, compared to pretreating feedstocks by acid esterification. Producers can expect lower operating costs and more throughput due to the reduced need for methanol rectification and base catalysts, while usage of fewer corrosive chemicals limit equipment wear and tear, cutting downtime and maintenance costs.

For producers who wish to start processing feedstocks with up to 20% FFA, Eversa Advance offers the lowest capital and operating costs compared to alternative technologies. It complements existing transesterification processes and is easy to implement.

A flexible future for biodiesel producers

With this launch, Novonesis strengthens its Eversa portfolio to meet industry demands for innovative solutions that can address a broad range of feedstocks, accelerating the transition to more sustainable biofuels. 

Depending on the customer’s requirements, Novonesis’ Eversa solutions can be deployed as a standalone, or alongside conventional chemical transesterification, providing flexibility, efficiency, and more profitability in biodiesel production.

To learn more about Eversa Advance, visit this page: https://www.novonesis.com/en/campaigns/eversa-advance?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=of_gl_Eversaadvance 

Don’t let acid esterification reduce your returns

Acid esterification, a common way of pretreating biodiesel feedstocks with free fatty acid content, requires a high dose of acid and excess methanol. The process results in high energy consumption, yield losses, and maintenance costs from the corrosive nature of the process.

With Eversa Advance, biodiesel producers can replace acids with enzymes, ensuring a smooth plant throughput, reduced need for maintenance and methanol rectification, and a more sustainable process.