Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

Eurofins: UCOME, POME, UCO as feedstocks for bio bunker fuel present ‘unique’ challenges for shipping sector

Variability of sources can affect the stability and performance of biofuel bunkers produced from these feedstocks, in turn leading to difficulties in meeting regulations and industry standards, shares Bryan Quek.

Admin

Published

on

Eurofins cargo inspection 1 of 1

Usage of used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and used cooking oil (UCO) as alternative feedstocks in the petroleum industry is gaining popularity due to the growing demand for sustainable bunker fuel options.

However, these feedstocks present unique challenges that need to be addressed for effective utilisation as alternatives to traditional marine fuels, believes the General Manager of Singapore-based fuel testing laboratory Eurofins Mechem Pte Ltd.

“These challenges can be effectively addressed through comprehensive testing, certification, and documentation procedures, thus allowing for the effective utilisation of these feedstocks as alternatives to traditional marine fuel,” Bryan Quek tells Manifold Times

“Eurofins, as a leader in food & feed testing, can help petroleum blending companies navigate the challenges associated with the production and trade of sustainable cargo such as UCOME, POME, and UCO.”

According to Mr Quek, a main challenge in the usage of UCOME, POME and UCO in the petroleum industry is related to quality control.

These feedstocks, typically derived from a variety of sources including food waste, agricultural waste, and industrial waste, can lead to variability in their quality and purity. Variability of sources can affect the stability and performance of biofuels produced from these feedstocks, in turn leading to difficulties in meeting regulations and industry standards.

Another challenge is related to sustainability and compliance with industry standards. Due to the variability of feedstocks, it is critical to ensure sustainable production practises with compliance to regulatory standards such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2).

The compatibility of UCOME, POME and UCO – which chemical properties can be different from petroleum-based traditional feedstocks – can affect the stability and performance of biofuels resulting in incompatibility issues of blended product, in turn affecting vessel engine performance and durability.

“Eurofins can help petroleum blending companies address these compatibility issues by providing testing services to assess the compatibility of UCOME, POME and UCO feedstocks with traditional petroleum products,” states Mr Quek.

“For instance, Eurofins can offer testing services to determine the acidity, saponification number, and iodine value of the feedstocks. These tests can help to determine the chemical properties of feedstocks and ensure they are compatible with traditional petroleum products. 

“Furthermore, Eurofins can offer testing services to assess the thermal stability of biofuels produced with UCOME, POME and UCO feedstocks. These tests can help to determine the stability of biofuels under high temperatures and ensure they meet industry standards.”

“By providing testing, certification, and documentation support, Eurofins can help these companies produce high-quality, compatible and compliant bio-grade petroleum products,” highlights Mr Quek.

“Our expertise in food & feed testing can assist in ensuring the compatibility of sustainable feedstocks with traditional petroleum products and positively impacting the industry and the environment.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 19 January, 2023

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

MOL inks bio-LNG bunker fuel supply deals with Titan and Axpo for car carriers in Europe

Titan, part of Amsterdam-based Molgas, will continue to supply bio-LNG fuel in Northwest Europe, while Axpo will take charge of supply in the Mediterranean region.

Admin

Published

on

By

MOL inks bio-LNG bunker fuel supply deals with Titan and Axpo for car carriers in Europe

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Thursday (18 July) said it has signed new supply agreements in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region to expand the use of bio-LNG marine fuel on MOL-operated LNG-fuelled car carriers.

Titan, part of Amsterdam-based Molgas, will continue to supply bio-LNG fuel in Northwest Europe, while Axpo will take charge of supply in the Mediterranean region.

MOL said the agreement makes it possible for its company to supply bio-LNG fuel for automobile carriers in the Mediterranean region, specifically Port of Malaga and Barcelona in Spain, following the bio-LNG fuel supply agreement in Western Europe, which commenced in March last year.

The bio-LNG fuel to be supplied in this initiative has a lifecycle carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy consumption) of -15 g-CO2/MJ or less, from production through consumption. Furthermore, this bio-LNG fuel has obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU). 

“Through this supply agreement, MOL has established a framework that ensures a continuous and stable supply of bio-LNG fuel not only in Northern Europe but also in the Mediterranean,” the company said.

As part of the group’s efforts to adopt alternative fuels and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is utilising LNG-fuelled vessels as a bridge solution to facilitate the transition to carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG (e-methane).

In 2025, MOL signed a bio LNG fuel supply agreement in Northwest Europe with Titan, part of the Molgas, and MOL has continued this bio LNG fuel supply agreement with the same company in 2026 as well.

 

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 19 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Biofuel

Kvasir Technologies lands EUR 10 million to scale bio bunker fuel production

The Danish biofuel startup raised the fund in a Series A investment round, which will provide capital to develop and design a new commercial production plant and scale climate-neutral drop-in marine fuel.

Admin

Published

on

By

Kvasir Technologies lands EUR 10 million to scale bio bunker fuel production

Danish biofuel startup Kvasir Technologies on Thursday (18 June) said it has raised EUR 10 million (USD 11.4 million) in a Series A investment round with participation from European Energy as a new investor, alongside existing investors EIFO, Maersk Growth and Footprint Fund. 

The Series A round provides capital to develop and design a new commercial production plant and scale climate-neutral drop-in fuel to be used in existing vessels.

At the same time, European Energy and Kvasir Technologies are entering into a strategic partnership by establishing the company KVEEN Biofuels, which is working towards the construction of a commercial-scale plant to produce biofuels using Kvasir Technologies’ patented technology.

“This investment round enables us to take the next crucial steps in developing and scaling our technology. At the same time, it underlines that there is still strong support for solutions that can deliver real climate impact in the maritime sector,” said Joachim Bachmann Nielsen, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and CEO of Kvasir Technologies.

Kvasir Technologies, a spin-out from research at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has developed a new technology to convert a wide range of non-edible lignin- based residues from agriculture and forestry into refined biofuels for shipping.

The climate-neutral biofuel can serve as an immediate replacement for fossil marine fuel without the need to modify ship engines or change existing infrastructure.

The new funding will be used, among other things, to scale the technology at Kvasir Technologies’ test facility in Fredericia, which can produce up to 2 metric tonnes (mt) of biofuel per day.

At the same time, development work will begin on the first commercial plant in the city of Aabenraa in the southern part of Jutland, which will demonstrate the technology on an industrial scale.

 

Photo credit: Kvasir Technologies
Published: 19 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Engine

BeHydro secures LR’s first class approval for 100% hydrogen marine engine

Engine has been developed and tested at ABC Engines’ facility in Ghent and is designed to operate entirely on hydrogen, without the need for pilot fuels.

Admin

Published

on

By

BeHydro secures LR’s first class approval for 100% hydrogen marine engine

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Wednesday (17 June) said it has issued the first Type Approval Certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine.

The approval has been awarded to the hydrogen engine developed by BeHydro and confirms the design meets LR’s requirements for safety, performance and reliability in marine applications.

The engine has been developed and tested at ABC Engines’ facility in Ghent and is designed to operate entirely on hydrogen, without the need for pilot fuels. This simplifies system design and removes onboard carbon emissions at source, positioning the technology as a practical option for operators exploring zero-carbon propulsion.

Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director, Lloyd’s Register, said: “The issue of this Type Approval Certificate demonstrates that hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine technology is continuing to mature as a viable option for maritime applications.

“For shipowners and operators, independent certification is essential in building confidence that emerging fuel technologies can meet the industry’s expectations for safety, reliability and operational performance.”

Tim Berckmoes, CEO at ABC Engines, said: “This LRS type approval of our BeHydro 100% hydrogen engines with zero emissions is a confirmation of the future proof technology that BeHydro can offer to innovative shipowners worldwide.

“The 100% hydrogen engine range is available from 900 kW till 2670 kW for different marine applications.”

LR previously awarded Type Approval to BeHydro for its hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine in 2023, which was the first Type Approval for a dual-fuel hydrogen engine. 

 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 19 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending