biofuels biodiesel

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Never before has it been clear the biodiesel industry needs to adopt technologies that
can provide much-needed flexibility to switch to the lowest cost feedstock. Bio-based
solutions are a proven technology that can make a difference

Flexible feedstock
future for biodiesel
L
ike every other industry, with flexibility to process
biodiesel has been feedstocks with high levels
reeling since COVID-19 of free fatty acid (FFA) with
started engulfing less need for expensive pre-
the world. From a biodiesel treatment or glycerolysis.
producer’s perspective, the The enzymatic catalyst
situation is troubling because functions independently of
fuel demand has been low. feed oil free fatty acids (FFA)
The pandemic has concentration, and can tolerate
also caused supply chain high levels of water, which
disruptions affecting some conventional catalysts cannot.
feedstocks putting even more
pressure on the biodiesel Managing FFA with
margins. At the same time, biotechnology
a substantial drop in eating
out has hit used cooking oil In contrast to most
supplies while disruption in conventional chemical catalyst-
meat supply has reduced Used cooking oil supplies have been disrupted by COVID-19 based technologies that require
animal fat supplies. a low FFA feed oil such as
To make matters more refined soy bean oil, enzymatic
difficult, a sharp drop in corn The total waste oil supply is and operational expenses. biodiesel can be made from
ethanol demand has affected estimated to be around 29.5 “Chemical catalyst basically any type content of
the output of the by-product million tonnes and there is processes that have FFA. This feature circumvents
corn oil for biodiesel. In greater potential waiting to be traditionally been used will the costly and messy sulfuric
Europe, margins for biodiesel unlocked as this figure does eventually become outdated acid esterification and/or
from rapeseed were negative not include waste oils that because of their inability to thermal glycerolysis commonly
in April and May when are currently not collected. switch to different feedstocks used in conventional biodiesel
feedstock prices rose, and Low cost feedstocks is when net margins go negative pre-treatment of high FFA oils.
biodiesel prices remained flat. one area where biological or trading paradigms change,” Novozymes launched
The message is clear - solutions are making a major said Daniel Cardinali, its first product Eversa®
biodiesel producers have to difference to help biodiesel global head of vegetable oil Transform in 2014 and more
find ways to be more flexible producers manage volatile processing at Novozymes. than 20 customers use the
so they can achieve their goals feedstock markets. “Using sodium methoxide for technology either as an
– even in uncertain times. transesterification of soybean add-on process for high FFA
Greener and cleaner oil works great, but the process side streams or as a stand-
Leveraging technology to becomes complicated and less alone plant for waste oils.
overcome challenges Cheap, low quality and non- economic when processing One such customer
food oils have long been high acidity oils like DGS corn is Oleofat, a company
The situation is indeed serious considered for biodiesel oil or fatty acid distillates.” based in the city of Tudela
but despite the growing feedstock. However in Enzymatic biodiesel in Navarra, Spain.
pains, a number of biodiesel chemical processing, has been considered a Oleofat specialises in the
producers have thrived these feed materials often promising alternative since production of sustainable
even in the COVID era. require difficult and costly the early 1990s in the biofuels from by-products
What have they done refining in order to not harm scientific community. and waste oils.
differently? For one, they have the chemical catalyst. Only recently, however, this “Our biggest challenge was
been swift in adapting to new In addition, chemical potential has been realised to handle the high FFA of our
market realities with production processes often require with the official launches of feedstocks and the wastewater
technologies that enable harsh chemicals, high energy innovative solutions. As far associated with traditional
flexibility to always work with input and high stoichiometric as benefits go, biotechnology technologies,” said Rafael
the lowest cost feedstocks. excess, all adding to the capital provides biodiesel producers Lavin, CEO, Oleofat. “Working

0 September/October 2020 biofuels international

 biodiesel biofuels
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with Novozymes we are now cost-efficient and a proven

able to provide our customers alternative for modifying
with high-quality and existing plants to enable
sustainable raw materials for biodiesel producers incorporate
production our biofuels without other feedstocks than the
having an environmental impact conventional oils like soybean,
on the local community.” rapeseed and palm oil currently
dominating the biodiesel
The future is flexible market,” added Marc Kellens,
group director of technology
The feedstock flexibility, at Desmet Ballestra. “The
regarding FFA content, enzymatic process makes it
provides biodiesel producers possible to convert secondary
with the option of utilizing oils like fatty acid distillates,
a broad and versatile range DGS corn oil, UCO and animal
of high FFA feed oils. fats into biodiesel with relatively
This allows them to low capital expenditure
The company’s headquarters
browse the market for the by retrofitting a plant.”
currently most profitable Benign processing conditions
feed material and take also eliminate the need for biodiesel blend mandates. The biofuels and raise demand for
advantage of fluctuations expensive metal reactors B30 mandate in Indonesia, the waste-based biodiesel. With
in the feed oil prices. for acid catalysts, saving B10 mandate in Brazil, Red II multiple feedstock options
Global biodiesel plant builder producers times and money. directive in Europe and LCSF in to choose from, biodiesel
Desmet Ballestra has been As the world moves California are some examples producers can stay one step
working with Novozymes toward a greener future with of policies that will create ahead of changing markets
technology since 2014. lesser carbon emissions, more demand for biodiesel. – today and tomorrow. l
“Novozymes’ enzyme-based governments around the world Global policies will continue For more information:
transesterification process is are mulling new and higher to incentivise low carbon Visit novozymes.com/en/advance-your

biofuels international September/October 2020 0