Biodiesel, renewable diesel and premium renewable diesel

Environmentally conscious diesel purchasers often ask about the differences between biodiesel and renewable diesel. Familiar with biodiesel, many are still asking, 'What is renewable diesel?' Traditional biodiesel and renewable diesel do come from the same feedstock (namely, plant and animal products) - but they are far from being the same thing.

BIODIESEL

Biodiesel is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) produced by transesterification, where vegetable oils or animal fats react with methanol (or ethanol) in the presence of a catalyst to form biodiesel and glycerin. Biodiesel, however, cannot be used neat. They must be blended with mineral diesel, most commonly in B5 or B7 formulations (5% & 7%).  Blends of B20 (20%) or greater, such as B100 (pure biodiesel), may require the user to check with vehicle manufacturers regarding compatibility and warranty implications, or consider engine modifications, as they may not be compatible with all diesel engines.

RENEWABLE DIESEL

Renewable diesel is hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), produced by hydrotreating to remove oxygen from fats/oils, resulting in a diesel with a chemical structure similar to standard mineral diesel, enabling it to be used as a 100% drop-in replacement. Renewable diesel, including HVO100, is a 'drop-in fuel' that can be used 100% in any diesel engine without modification. Fully compatible with current diesel infrastructure, renewable diesel is much easier to use, as it can be used as a standalone fuel without needing to clean the tank after using mineral diesel.

Most importantly, HVO100 is at least 95% carbon-neutral, contributing to significant reductions in reportable scope one and scope three emissions.

PERFORMANCE

Both fuels reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to mineral diesel. Biodiesel reduces CO2, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons, but may slightly increase NOx. Renewable diesel, on the other hand, offers more complete combustion, reducing CO2, NOx, and particulates across the board. For NOx and indeed, CO2 equivalents, renewable diesel is the best option.

While both biodiesel and renewable diesel reduce emissions, renewable diesel is superior to biodiesel in that:

• Renewable diesel can be used 100% neat, enabling a 95% reduction in reportable emissions and impacting both scope one and scope three emissions.

• Renewable diesel reduces dangerous NOx emissions by much more than biodiesel, thereby further decreasing CO2-equivalent emissions.

• Renewable diesel also performs better in cold-start operability.

HVO100

Renewable Diesel (HVO100), produced by the world's 5th-largest energy business, TotalEnergies, is available in Australia through GreenTECH Fuel. This HVO100:

• Replaces standard diesel fuel, requiring no changes to the vehicle.

• Replaces standard diesel fuel with no changes to maintenance requirements.

• Delivers superior cold start operability and storage stability.

• Delivers a 95% reduction in NGERs measured CO2 emissions.

• Reduces local pollution emissions, including diesel particulates and NOx

Most importantly, HVO100 is at least 95% carbon-neutral, contributing significantly to reductions in reportable scope one and scope three emissions.

These benefits lead to a significant reduction in emissions, providing a clear pathway towards meeting government and community expectations regarding CO2 emissions. Given that transport accounts for 22% of Australia's carbon emissions, demand for HVO100 is expected to grow substantially, especially with the more competitive prices offered by GreenTECH Fuel, which will import the product in bulk from July 2026.

PREMIUM RENEWABLE DIESEL

GreenTECH fuel also works with customers to develop and utilise Premium HVO100 diesel. Premium HVO100 diesel is standard HVO100 upgraded to a premium product by blending it with EPC+—the only multifunctional diesel-concentrate produced by a primary energy business. When combined with EPC+, Premium HVO100 compounds the benefits of HVO100 and all the benefits of EPC+, including a 3% to 5% reduction in fuel (i.e., HVO100) consumption and, therefore, costs.  

EPC+ is the ingredient in Excellium Diesel - a premium diesel sold globally by TotalEnergies in bulk and through 17,000 service stations worldwide. Around EPC+ is purchased for use in all brands of vehicle, meeting all international fuel standard, including EN 590 (the European standard for diesel compliance) and ISO 8217 (the international standard for marine diesel fuel specifications) and satisfies the performance requirements outlined in the Worldwide Fuel Charter (global OEM-backed performance standard for engine fuels) - has only recently become available in Australia.

Users in Australia are showing a 2% to 5% fleet saving (in terms of fuel consumption, costs and emissions) when using EPC+. The impact of EPC+ is very similar for mineral diesel and HVO100. In both cases, all of these benefits are manifest. Premium HVO100 compounds the benefits of these two TotalEnergies products - and both products are available from GreenTECH Fuel.

HVO100 and Premium HVO100 will be available in Australia to GreenTECH Fuel clients at affordable prices now!

For more information, call Steve Wilkinson on 0481 055 383 or email steve@greentechfuel.com.au 

Our website address is - www.greentechfuel.com.au