Low-emission marine fuel regulations are needed NOW: RTFA responds to DfT’s call for evidence on decarbonising smaller vessels

Mura Technology

Mura Technology processes hard to recycle mixed plastic waste using our patented Hydro-PRT® technology to produce a wide range of products suitable for use in the chemicals and fuels industries. The highly efficient Hydro-PRT process generates yields in excess of 95% with very low emissions (less than 20g CO2/MJ). Mura have existing operating assets in the UK and Asia and we are currently adding more capacity in selected markets around the world.

Renovari Ltd

We’re changing the way the world thinks about road transport fuels.

Renovari’s vision is to solve ever lasting waste problems by transforming them into recycled low emission fuels while using 100% renewable processes.

ELT Recovery Ltd

ELT Recovery’s advanced recycling process offers a technological alternative avenue for the recycling of tyres and other waste rubber materials through a proven thermochemical process. Our high-value, low-carbon commodities substitute fossiloriginating materials in critical supply chains, are valuable sources of green transport fuel for road, marine and aviation, and also present innovative new application prospects.

Waga Energy

Producing biomethane from waste, Waga Energy has been committed to playing a key role in the energy transition and the fight against climate change, by replacing fossil natural gas and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The success of our project depends above all on long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and shared fundamental values with leading players in the waste management and energy sectors. Whether they are with local authorities or with international leaders in waste management, these partnerships are much more than collaborations: they are long-term commitments, based on the desire to jointly build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Air Products

Air Products has over 65 years of expertise in hydrogen supply across production, storage, and distribution. The company provides liquid and compressed hydrogen in various purities and supply modes, supported by an extensive network of pipelines, plants, and transfill facilities. Supply solutions range from, individual cylinders, through to bulk deliveries (gas or liquid) and on-site generation. Hydrogen supply is supported onsite by advanced technologies across gaseous or cryogenic liquid storage solutions, Cryogenic Hydrogen Compression systems and hydrogen refuelling systems. Air Products develops and has deployed fuelling infrastructure for buses, trucks, ships, and trains, enabling cleaner transport and industrial decarbonisation. With renewable and low-carbon hydrogen initiatives, and turnkey fuelling systems, Air Products helps customers meet sustainability goals and accelerate the energy transition worldwide.

Syzgyg Plasmonics

Syzygy Plasmonics develops light-driven chemical reactors that electrify and decarbonise fuel and chemical production. Having successfully completed demonstration plants in Houston, Raleigh, and South Korea, Syzygy is now entering the market with offerings for sustainable aviation fuels. Syzygy’s NovaSAF platform converts biogenic CO2 and methane into ultra-low carbon fuels using renewable electricity.

Jon Hood

Jon joined RTFA in 2025 as policy manager, with a focus on maritime and power-to-liquids. He has a background in renewable fuel and energy policy, having held various roles in government including in the regulation of low-carbon fuels at the Department for Transport. More recently, he worked as UK sustainable shipping manager at the European non-profit Transport&Environment. His academic background is in environmental technologies and sustainable energy. Away from work, he enjoys active travel and is a keen long-distance runner and cyclist.

Tom Reid

Tom became CEO of the RTFA in June 2025, having joined the association as a policy analyst in 2022. Prior to the RTFA, he worked for the Department for Transport in their Low Carbon Fuels team for 12 years, working in the RTFO unit across a variety of roles ending with being the RTFO Technical Manager. He has a very strong interest in the environment, is a chartered environmentalist, and was previously an organic farmer.

Sophia Haywood

Sophia Haywood is Director EU & UK Government Affairs, Policy & Sustainability at LanzaJet, where she is responsible for the strategy and delivery of advocacy initiatives to scale a sustainable domestic SAF industry and market across Europe, translating regulations for project development and contributing to business strategy.
Prior to joining LanzaJet, Sophia has held leadership positions across the renewable fuels & energy sector, including at renewable fuels producer Dimeta, covering the UK, Europe and United States, and at Liquid Gas UK, where she led the work on a pathway for the UK LPG industry to transition to renewable alternatives.
Sophia is a committed and active member of the European Advanced Biofuels Coalition, serving on their board and as Chair during 2023 and 2024, representing advanced biofuel producers and its value chain, across road, marine and aviation sectors, with EU policy makers.
She has represented companies and industries in a variety of European and Global Initiatives, such as COP28 in Dubai and at the G7 2024 in Turin, and regularly contributes thought leadership and opinion pieces on energy and renewables topics.

ET Fuels

The problem that ETFuels is solving is the persistent bottleneck in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation, – driven by high-cost, small-scale e-fuel production and dependence on grid-constrained renewable power. At ETFuels we eliminate the reliance on expensive, constrained grid power by simply building our own renewables to serve the fuel production facility without needing a large grid connection. By co-locating renewable generation, electrolysis, and methanol synthesis we do not compete for expensive renewable electrons with data centres and corporates and we also avoid grid tranmission fees, reducing production costs by up to 40% and enabling commercial-scale, ultra-low-carbon e-methanol supply chains

HYRO Energy Limited

Our aim is to develop e-fuels and green hydrogen solutions for hard to abate sectors, supporting companies to reach their decarbonisation goals. HYRO is building on its success in HAR1 with our Northfleet/Kimberly Clark project, where we developed a hydrogen plant to decarbonise the Northfleet papermill. HYRO is taking the next step to e-fuels. HYRO is a platform company owned by Octopus Energy Generation.

Methanex

Methanex Corporation is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol. The Power of Agility is our key differentiator, and how our global team of employees deliver on our brand promise every day.

Phelan Green Group

Established in 2005, Phelan Green Group, under the guidance of founder Paschal Phelan, stands as a global leader in renewable energy, headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. With offices spanning six countries across four continents, we spearhead sustainable solutions worldwide, ranging from Solar PV and Green Hydrogen derivatives to Batteries and Wind Energy

Natural State Renewables

Natural State Renewables will make carbon-neutral air transportation a reality with sustainable aviation fuel made from surplus forest biomass. As the aviation industry demand for SAF is expected to reach 3 billion gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually by 2030, our strategically located facilities will offer abundant feedstock access, ensuring supply security and price stability. Through this approach, we will provide airlines with a scalable, commercially viable pathway to achieve net zero emissions, transforming the future of air travel while preserving our planet’s resources.

Sumitomo Corporation

Sumitomo Corporation is a global trading and investment company. It operates across diverse sectors including metals, machinery, real estate, chemicals, construction, shipping, insurance, finance, energy, food, and textiles. With a robust global network, Sumitomo Corporation leverages its integrated corporate strength to conduct multifaceted business activities, including import/export, trilateral trade, and domestic and international investments. SAF is also one of key business and Sumitomo develop SAF business.

Reneco

Reneco are a producer of renewable liquefied natural gas (LNG) for commercial use including as fuel for commercial vehicles.

Ryze was founded in the UK in 2020. A team of 25 experts support our UK customer base, supplying Hydrogen, HVO, CNG/LNG, and electric vehicle charging solutions. In the UK we have one of the largest tube trailer fleets, supplying hydrogen to our customers where and when they need it. In 2024, a team of seasoned electric charging experts joined Ryze, who design and install complete charging solutions to
our customers. An experienced team was established in Germany in 2023, and we continue to expand our operations in Europe.

Vitol SA

Vitol is an energy and commodities company. For over 55 years we have used our networks and infrastructure to manage the flow of energy around the world, efficiently and responsibly.

STX Group

As traders of environmental progress, STX is at the forefront of global change away from the pollution and depletion of natural resources. STX has been pricing the cost of emissions and pollution for over fifteen years and has helped build trust in carbon-reduction and green energy trading.
With its trading and Corporate Climate Solutions offering, STX ensures directly and indirectly that money goes to the hundreds and thousands of projects that make the world a greener place, while providing corporations with the certified proof points of their contributions to environmental progress.
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EET Fuels

EET Fuels is a leading player in the decarbonisation of the UK economy through its delivery of an energy transition hub at Stanlow in the heart of the of the HyNet North West Cluster – selected by the UK Government as one of two clusters for industrial decarbonisation. The CO2 pipeline and hydrogen pipeline will be centred around Stanlow. EET Hydrogen is developing a 1GW+ of low carbon hydrogen to decarbonise regional manufacturing and power generation sites across the whole of the North West and North Wales.
We plan to reduce our emissions by 95% by 2030.
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Equinor ASA

Already energizing the lives of over 170 million people, Equinor is working to resolve the energy trilemma of climate, affordability, and security. We aim to be a net zero company by 2050, finding new solutions in oil and gas, renewables, and low carbon.

Avioxx Ltd

Avioxx is a sustainable aviation fuel innovation company developing scalable manufacturing processes of green fuels from waste. The company harnesses the efficiency of a unique and patented system to reduce the environmental footprint and costs of production to offer net-zero and carbon negative fuels at a cost-competitive price. The company was founded in May 2023 with a mission to become leaders in net-zero advanced fuel innovation, and are currently backed by the UK’s leading independent travel company Trailfinders.

Equilibrion

Eq.Flight is an engineered system that harnesses the power of nuclear energy to deliver SAF at the scale required to make a meaningful contribution to fighting climate change

Our commitment is to leave a better world for the next generation by partnering proven nuclear technology with a dedicated and bespoke Power-to-Liquids system that reduces cost and is deployable at scale, starting now.

UG World Ltd

UG World Ltd sources sustainable waste streams that have reached the end of their usable life and produces 100% Renewable Biomethane (or Bio CNG) and other low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels e.g. Hydrogen enriched Renewable Natural Gas. We provide reliable deliveries of low-carbon fuels, a complete end-to-end supply chain and full traceability of waste streams. This enables our customers to seamlessly complete the necessary carbon accounting and reporting processes demanded by the transition to net-zero.
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Oxalis Logistics UK Ltd

Oxalis Logistics UK pioneers innovative solutions tailored to the individual logistics challenges of its clients. Building from a legacy that began in 1974, today Oxalis Logistics UK, directs 2,000 people and 1,700 trucks and trailers across 53 locations throughout the UK and Ireland from its Head Office in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
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Centrica

Centrica is involved in projects across the hydrogen value chain. Centrica is also actively involved in helping shape policy through trade associations, thought leadership work and trial/demonstration projects. Centrica has multiple Hydrogen Chairs across key trade associations (Hydrogen UK, Hydrogen Ireland, Renewable Energy Association, and part of Renewable UK’s Hydrogen working group).

Power2X

Power2X gets involved in industrial scale transitions along the full project development lifecycle. We deliver world class energy transition solutions from strategy to operations. Our involvement can be either as an external solution provider or as project owner where we co-invest with our financial partner(s). Being present throughout the cycle, as both actor and advisor, is key in our ambition to realizing the energy transition..

Iogen Corporation

With a focus on second generation transportation fuels dating back to
1975, iogen has an accomplished track record of commercialising new
technologies. We delivered the first and only profitable cellulosic ethanol
technology, currently being expanded to 20 facilities in Brazil. We have
pivoted to low carbon biohydrogen as out next major technology
deployment. We have commercialized a patented process to use
biomethane feedstocks and biohydrogen in refineries to make gasoline
and diesel derived from waste, and we are planning to roll out a new
generation of biomethane and biohydrogen production technologies to
fuel the Net Zero transition. Backed by our IP portfolio including more
than 300 patents, our products and partnerships can be found across the
Americas and Europe.
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Renovare Fuels

Renovare has developed a new proprietary process which converts Biogas to Advanced Liquid Fuels We can tune our process parameters to produce either diesel or Jet A1. The chemical and physical properties of our fuels are virtually identical to their fossil fuel derived analogues, thus allowing our fuel to be used as a direct replacement without the need for engine design modifications. The technology is modular and can be retro-fitted.
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Carbon Neutral Fuels

CNF is developing a modular, scalable and standardised Power-to-Liquid system that can be mass-manufactured at the scale required to meaningfully reduce fossil fuel use globally. Our ASAP-DAC project (“Advancing Sustainable Aviation via Power-to-Liquid and Direct Air Capture”) was awarded £1.38m by the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (Window 2), and this project is developing designs for a UK based PtL SAF facility due to come online in 2027.
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Bio Capital

Bio Capital owns and operates a diverse and growing portfolio of anaerobic digestion (AD) plants across the UK. Bio Capital invests in both operational and greenfield assets, including gas-to-grid and electricity generation facilities, low carbon vehicle fuel, sustainable biofertiliser and compost.
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Arcadia eFuels

Arcadia eFuels UK Limited seeks to accelerate decarbonisation of the UK aviation, maritime and heavy transport sectors by producing “drop-in replacement” net-zero carbon eFuels from carbon dioxide, water and renewable electricity. Our first UK production facility will be on Teesside. Our standard design, using proven technology from world-class partners, will ensure we are amongst the first companies to reach industrial scale eFuels production. Arcadia also has eFuels projects in Denmark and the USA.

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LanzaJet Inc

LanzaJet is a sustainable fuels technology company dedicated to accelerating the energy transition. As a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology provider and producer with our patented LanzaJet® Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology, LanzaJet is creating an opportunity for future generations by accelerating the deployment of SAF and other clean technologies critical to addressing the climate crisis and transforming the global economy.
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Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited

Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited is committed to transforming the aviation industry’s carbon footprint by investing in, developing, and producing PtL SAF which will convert CO2 and green hydrogen into aviation turbine fuel. Our mission is to deliver scalable solutions to effectively help decarbonise the aviation industry.
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OxCCU Tech Limited

OXCCU is enabling future generations the continued use of hydrocarbon fuels but without their climate impact. We are manufacturing novel catalysts and designing novel reactors to convert CO2 and H2 to long-chain hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as carbon neutral fuels, chemicals and plastics, most notably Sustainable Aviation Fuel, called OXEFUEL.
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Infinium Operations, LLC

Infinium is an electrofuels provider on a mission to decarbonise transport. Electrofuels are a new class of synthetic fuels made using renewable power and waste carbon dioxide, rather than petroleum or biomass. Infinium electrofuels can be dropped into existing trucks, planes and ships, significantly reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions produced by fossil-based fuels. In addition to helping the transport industry meet carbon reduction goals, Infinium electrofuels are a lower carbon intensity alternative for chemical processing, including plastics production. Learn why Amazon and other leading cleantech investors have chosen Infinium at www.infiniumco.com.
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ESL Fuels Ltd

From the early days of pioneering biodiesel, to more recently developing processing technology and a range of renewable liquid fuels, we are continually innovating. Our highly technical team works with industry to support and develop fuels best suited to the end applications. Operating from several locations, we build mutually beneficial partnerships across the business, supplying our fuels to distributors nationwide.

World Fuel Services

World Fuel Services delivers trusted fuel, energy, and sustainability solutions. Every day, we provide a powerful integrated platform to optimize energy, logistics, and related services for Aviation, Marine, Commercial, Industrial, and Land Transportation customers around the world.

ViGo BioEnergy Ltd

ViGo BioEnergy is a pan-European supplier of renewable fuels for transport, including biomethane with future investments in hydrogen and EV.

Kuwait Petroleum International Aviation Company

Q8Aviation is one of the largest importers of aviation fuel into the UK and uses its supply & logistics network to market to airlines at all of the major airports. As a company we are interested in supporting the development of UK domestic SAF production to help meet the aviation industry’s carbon emission reduction targets.

SLR Consulting Ltd

SLR has supported hundreds of projects in the AD, bioethanol and biodiesel space. We have supported clients in the development of EPC contracts and help them gain planning permission and permits for their facilities. Through the design and construction phase, we have carried out technical due diligence, design reviews, and have acted as owner’s/funder’s engineer to ensure suitable completion of all civil, process, instrumentation and electrical work.

Neste

Neste is one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, and renewable feedstock solutions for various polymers and chemicals industry uses. Neste is also developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge.

Coryton Advanced Fuels

Coryton is a provider of specialist advanced fuel solutions across a range of industries. Creating 3,000 unique blends each year – more than 14 million litres of bespoke fuels in total – for use across the globe, covering automotive, marine, aviation, motorsport and research. Coryton has been working extensively for over 8 years on sustainable fuel technologies with global partners, to help optimise and market multiple pathways to help replace reliance on fossil fuels.

Simon Holt

Simon Holt, Manager for Emerging Energy, Phillips 66

Simon is responsible for developing the company’s Emerging Energy business in Europe in the areas of renewable fuels, battery materials, carbon capture and hydrogen. A Chemical Engineer with 23 years of experience with Phillips 66 and prior heritage companies.

Simon began his career as a Process Engineer at Humber Refinery. He has held various engineering, commercial and management positions in Humber, London and Houston. Prior to his current role Simon was responsible for developing an integrated UK business strategy in line with the UK Government’s 2050 net-zero target. Simon is passionate about developing low carbon energy solutions and advocating for renewable fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the existing transportation fleet. He has been heavily involved with the UK’s first production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Development Fuel at Humber Refinery. His broad experience of renewable fuel production processes, global markets and government policy positions him well to contribute to an exciting future for RTFA.

Green Biofuels Ltd

GBF is a supplier of low carbon drop in replacement paraffinic fuels in the UK. Its branded fuels are GD+ and GD45, powered by Shell GTL. GBF works with its clients to help them to implement transition technologies on their road to Net Zero.

Enerkem

Enerkem’s products help diversify energy sources and offer a sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration. Our business model is structured along two pathways to allow for the flexible deployment of the Enerkem technology, as technology provider (through the licensing of our technology and equipment) and as a biofuels producer. Our projects include; Varennes (Montreal, Quebec) which will convert forest biomass residue and nonrecyclable waste into biomethanol; El Morell (Tarragona, Spain), which will convert non-recyclable waste into circular chemicals; and advanced biofuels; Rotterdam (Netherlands), which will use Enerkem technology and the FT process Shell’s Fischer-Tropsch technology (Gas-to-Liquids) to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and RCF. 

European Waste-based & Advanced Biofuels Association (EWABA)

EWABA is a Brussels-based association representing the interests of the European waste-based and advanced biofuels industry before EU institutions, national governments, industry, civil society and the media. EWABA promotes the inclusion of waste-based and advanced biofuels in the EU fuel mix as a sustainable means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in EU transport. EWABA’s +35 members active in most EU Member States collect and use waste and advanced feedstocks listed in parts A and B of Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) to produce sustainable biodiesel with the highest GHG savings (up to +90%) when compared with fossil fuels, thus enabling “near-term decarbonization” of the EU road and maritime transport sectors.

Murfitts Industries Ltd

As the UK’s largest tyre collector and processor with national coverage, we collect, process and repurpose post-consumer tyres so that 100% of the tyre is recycled and reused in a variety of products. From artificial turf infill and playground rubber mulch to carpet underlay and road surfaces, no part of the tyre is wasted.

Philip Fjeld

Philip has been working in the natural gas industry since 2002 when he joined Hoegh LNG, an LNG shipowner in Oslo, Norway. In 2006 he left Hoegh LNG and founded FLEX LNG, a company that spearheaded the innovative concept of floating liquefaction vessels.

FLEX LNG has since its inception raised close to $600 million in equity and is listed on the Oslo stock exchange. Philip was the CEO of FLEX LNG from 2006 until December 2013. Philip founded CNG Fuels in 2014 and has been the CEO since.

Philip has a nautical degree and has worked at sea as an officer in the Royal Norwegian Coast Guard and in the merchant navy. Mr. Fjeld earned his Master’s degree in Strategy and Management from the Norwegian school of Economics and Business Administration.

Gaynor Hartnell, Senior Advisor (former Chief Executive)

I’m very proud to represent producers of renewable fuels. Switching to lower carbon fuels is one of the many measures that will need to be deployed in moving to Net Zero. It’s far from the only solution, but it’s one that’s available now – which makes it extremely important – and it deserves more attention and focus than it enjoys.

Gaynor Hartnell has worked in the renewables industry, primarily for various trade associations, since 1995. These have included the British Wind Energy Association, Landfill Gas Association, Biogas Association and the Renewable Energy Association, which she was instrumental in forming.

Grant Pearson

Grant is the Chairman of Ensus, a bioethanol and animal feed producer. Grant joined Ensus shortly after the business formed and prior to his current role had responsibilities for all commercial aspect of the business.

Prior to Ensus, Grant had extensive business management experience, based in the USA, Belgium, Hong Kong and the UK. These roles were predominately in the chemicals, electronics, automotive and service industries and included General Manager, Royal Mail, President and CEO Acheson Industries, General Manager and Corporate VP Emerson & Cumming.

Grant has also been a Board member of a number of industry association including ePURE, NAPA and the Policy Board of the REA. He currently sits on the Board of the Zemo Partnership and is a Non Executive Director and the Chairman of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association.

Ciara O’Keeffe O’Donovan

Ciara O’Keeffe O’Donovan is Chief Operating Officer for Olleco. Olleco is the largest collector of used cooking oil in the UK and it also operates biofuel production plants.

Olleco owns and operates a biodiesel plant in Liverpool, which produces UCOME for both the B7 market and high-blend fleets. It also operates three AD plants, one of which produces biomethane which can be sold into the transport market.

Ciara engages with Olleco customers in supporting the decarbonisation of their fleets and developing circular transport solutions

Dickon Posnett

Argent Energy, Corporate Affairs Director

Dickon’s role with Argent Energy involves working on market development for renewable fuels through regulatory and legislative incentives. In Europe, he represents Argent in the European Biodiesel Board (EBB), where he chaired the Advanced Biodiesel Committee for 10 years and has been a Board member for 9 years, and in EWABA as a Board member. In The Netherlands Dickon works with the biodiesel associations MVO and NVDB, and chairs the NBAA, an alliance of waste-based biodiesel companies. In the UK he sits on the Board of the RTFA, the industry association for renewable transport fuels. Dickon is responsible for trade defence matters for Argent, working directly with DIT in the UK and with the EU Commission through EBB. Dickon became Chartered Marketer in 2004.

Firefly Green Fuels

At Firefly we produce crystal clear, sustainable transport fuels from sewage.

We are innovators pioneering true waste to resource pathways. Firefly creates sustainable fuel while also providing a vital disposal route for the one waste that humans can’t help but produce.

Importantly, our process works with nature, not against it, creating high-performance fuel from waste carbon already in active circulation.

All over the world, sewage is an abundant resource in desperate need of clean, safe and cost-effective disposal routes. Firefly is that solution. From feedstock to flight, we’re committed to creating the world’s most sustainable aviation fuel.

Petrofac

Petrofac uses its 40 years of engineering know-how, project delivery and operations experience and to design, build, and operate world-class energy facilities that are engineered for safety, optimal efficiency, and low emissions. We operate in a range of markets and work across the entire asset life-cycle – from design to decommissioning. These competencies, supported by flexible commercial models, robust local delivery, and a technology neutral approach, set us apart. Core to our offering is our distinctive, delivery-focused culture.

John Lewis Partnership

As a responsible retailer we must reduce our consumption, find renewable energy alternatives, and look critically at our impact across our entire value chain and take action. We have an ambitious operational carbon reduction and energy efficiency programme and have brought forward our net zero carbon target across our entire operations by 15 years to 2035. This will be achieved without purchasing offsets. Any small amount of greenhouse gas emissions we cannot reduce to net zero we will offset in our operations by producing renewable energy.

OCI Fuels BV

OCI Fuels produces bio-methanol, bio-MTBE and OCI Alcohol Mix (a blend of ethanol and bio-ethanol) in accordance with ISCC EU and RTFO standards for sale in the UK.

alfanar

alfanar is committed to the development of the UK’s SAF sector and intends to deploy innovative SAF production technologies at commercial scale that can reduce emissions from the aviation sector. Its Lighthouse Green Fuels (LGF) project located in Tees Valley plans to be the first commercial scale SAF production plant deployed in the UK. The innovative waste-to-liquid (WtL) process utilises gasification and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology to convert household and commercial waste – otherwise destined for landfill or incineration – into SAF and naphtha.

Broadmanor Consulting Limited

Broadmanor Consulting offers expertise across the biofuels value chain, covering technologies, regulations and markets.

Broadmanor Consulting was founded by Olivier Macé in January 2021, to provide expertise and advisory services in the renewable fuels sector. Olly is a veteran of the sector, having held leadership positions in the BP Biofuels technology and production business from its inception in 2006. Before retiring from BP in 2020, Olly was the Biofuels Director Europe for the Downstream segment of the company.

NFU

The NFU is the most successful representation body for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales.

The NFU is the most successful representation body for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales. It champions British agriculture and horticulture, campaigns for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers and seeks to secure the best possible deal for its members.

ACT Commodities B.V.

ACT Commodities assists companies in hitting their environmental targets with our decarbonisation products, services and solutions. This is achieved by utilising ACT’s presence in the environmental commodities market, market expertise and over 15 years of successful industry decarbonisation. Overall, ACT Commodities has evolved from a commodities trading company into a full-service provider of sustainability solutions, helping organisations meet their environmental targets efficiently and transparently.

Big Atom

BIG ATOM envisions turning waste rubber and plastics back into their raw materials for reuse, creating a Circular Economy. Our first achievement has been building a tyre recycling business, where we shred and granulate tyres, ready to be chemically regenerated in the pyrolysis plant. Our technology will ensure that rubber & plastic products are 100% recycled and a Circular Economy is realised. By turning waste into a resource, the world will become a cleaner place.

Fulcrum BioEnergy Limited

Fulcrum BioEnergy, Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a pioneer in the development of projects to convert everyday household and commercial waste into low-carbon aviation fuels and other transportation fuels. Founded in 2007, Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. has developed a proprietary process, using commercially proven technology, to convert waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated, into low-carbon, ultra clean burning liquid transportation fuels. Fulcrum is currently commissioning the world’s first commercial waste-to-transportation fuels plant, located in the United States and is developing a future project in the United Kingdom.

Phillips 66 Ltd.

With more than 140 years of experience, Phillips 66 is well-positioned to help fulfil global energy needs. We are a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company with unique businesses in Refining, Midstream, Chemicals and Marketing and Specialties.

Carlton Forest Renewables

Our objective is clear. We’re playing our part in making reusing waste part of the circular economy on a zero to landfill basis. We’ve provided industry with a great opportunity to embrace a different way to fully recycle waste and turn it into something useful.

Air Liquide Advanced Business & Technologies UK Ltd

Air Liquide both produces biomethane from organic waste at a network of anaerobic digestion facilities in the UK, and supplies it as a fuel for trucks and buses at a network of bio-LNG and bio-CNG fuelling stations.

2G BioPOWER

2G BioPOWER is developing a UK project based on technology from Scandinavian Enviro Systems (part owned by Michelin). Enviro’s pyrolysis process recovers the carbon black and steel in tyres. The rubber is converted into Tyre Pyrolysis Oil which will be refined into partially renewable transport fuel. Enviro’s process results in a high-quality recovered Carbon Black (rCB) which can be re-used in rubber products including new vehicle tyres.

Wastefront AS

Wastefront converts End of Life Tyres (ELT) into useful commodities, including liquid hydrocarbons and carbon black, which can then be reutilised in processes such as alternative fuel or rubber manufacturing. Through a combination of proven technology and proprietary processes, the company aims to reduce the negative environmental impact associated with ELT waste, while delivering an economically attractive solution to stakeholders.

Gas Vehicle Network

The Gas Vehicle Network (GVN) has been formed to promote the opportunity gas vehicles provide for road haulage. A transport solution. GVN aim to accelerate the development of the gas vehicle industry, and to encourage increased use of gas (both Liquid Natural Gas – LNG and Compressed Natural Gas – CNG) and biomethane as low emission transport fuels.

Decarbonise Fuel Limited

Decarbonise Fuel Limited helps your businesses to meet your decarbonisation goals by sourcing and supplying specialist renewable fuels. Decarbonising transport including haulage, maritime and aviation.

Zemo Partnership

Zemo works in partnership with its 200 members to help inform and shape Government policy in relation to the supply and demand of low carbon vehicles and fuels. The organisation runs a Fuels Working Group focused on accelerating the adoption first and second generation biofuels, renewable hydrogen and other low carbon fuels.

Alder BioInsights

Alder BioInsights is a strategic consultancy with in-depth knowledge of the bioeconomy. It offers clients a wealth of experience in the bioenergy and biofuels markets and the growing biobased products sector. The team has international experience to guide businesses through policy hurdles and assist in the development of technology and international markets.

Velocys Limited

Velocys is an international UK-based sustainable fuels technology company. Velocys designed, developed and now licenses proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology for the generation of clean, low carbon, synthetic drop-in aviation and road transport fuel from municipal solid waste and residual woody biomass plants currently in construction and development.

Olleco

Olleco works with food manufacturers, retailers and the hospitality industry to provide circular solutions for their organic waste. The company collects waste oils, fats and food waste from 50,000 customer locations across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Waste oils and fats are refined and converted into biodiesel which powers the fleets of our customers delivering over 85% greenhouse gas savings. Food waste is converted into biomethane which can either be used as a transport fuel, converted into sustainable electricity or for heating. Olleco has won multiple awards for its innovative circular solutions and is committed to fighting the climate emergency.

Nova Pangaea Technologies (UK) Limited

Nova Pangaea’s REFNOVA® technology uses well-proven processes, which are integrated using NPT’s patented proprietary process and technologies, to provide an innovative cleantech solution for a low carbon world. REFNOVA® is a multistage, continuous thermo-chemical process that utilises pyrolysis (steam) to fractionate biomass into its constituent sugars, lignin and chemicals.

This press release (18th Nov 2020) describes the successful development and trial of its first E10 fuel.

Greenergy International Limited

Greenergy is the UK’s leading fuel supplier. We import fuels and fuel components from around the world and blend them at our import terminals. Greenergy is also one of the largest biofuel producer in Europe, with three operating facilities that convert waste cooking oils into sustainable biodiesel.

Gasrec Limited

Gasrec sells liquified and compressed renewable biomethane through publicly accessible refuelling stations in strategic locations or bespoke CNG and LNG refuelling facilities that we have designed and built for our customers. We supply renewable biomethane in our own gas-powered tankers that deliver LNG direct to stations and supply CNG by grid connection or by tanker (known as L-CNG) where a grid connection is not available.

Ensus UK Ltd

Ensus UK Limited, based in Yarm, UK, operates one of the largest production plants for bioethanol in Europe, in the North East of England, with an annual capacity of 400,000 cubic metres of bioethanol and 350,000 tonnes of dried protein animal feed (DDGS). Ensus is a member of the CropEnergies Group, which is one of the leading European manufacturers of sustainably produced bioethanol for the fuel sector today.

CNG Fuels Ltd

CNG Fuels develops, owns, and operates CNG Refuelling infrastructure and sources 100% Renewable Biomethane or Bio-CNG for its stations. It is rolling out a UK-wide network of reliable and convenient refuelling facilities to service customers’ vehicle fleets and their off-grid energy needs.

Calor Gas Limited

Calor has been long established as a supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is propane and butane, and more recently Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Calor, which is part of the European SHV group, is intent on switching to renewable sources of these fuels by 2040 and as such is investing heavily in research in the various production pathways for these advanced fuels both BioLPG and Biomethane/Synthetic Natural Gas.

Argent Energy (UK) Limited

Argent Energy has been producing biodiesel since 2005. The first plant in Motherwell, Scotland was the demonstration plant for Europe and the first commercial plant to use waste animal fats. Their second plant in Ellesmere Port, England includes further technology developments and enables them to produce top spec biodiesel from the very worst and degraded waste fats and oils, including fatbergs. Argent also acquired a biodiesel plant in Amsterdam in 2018 bringing their total production capacity up to 230,000t/yr.

Argent’s fuel is sold in the UK and across Europe. In the UK they have developed a blending and supply service for high biodiesel blends to allow fleet operators to make huge GHG savings at a competitive price to standard diesel.

ALCOGROUP SA

With headquarters in Brussels and operations on several continents, Alco is one of the biggest producers and distributors of ethanol for fuel in Europe. Globally we provide ethanol to various industries: from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, food and beverage.

Electricity

The attraction of an electric drive train is that there are zero tailpipe emissions. The well to tank emissions from an electric vehicle will depend on how the electricity is produced.

The production of electricity from any form of combustion source results incurs losses of around 40 to 50%. Renewable electricity from non-thermal sources such as wind and solar, is not subject to these losses. The transmission and distribution of electricity results in further losses of energy (around 8%).

During the recharging process there are further energy losses (up to 12%) in the cable and the battery itself. (This is why it is difficult to fast charge a Nissan Leaf in hot weather as their batteries are air-cooled).

Electricity has no fuel duty and pays VAT at 5%.

Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO)

Renewable hydrogen is the most straight-forward RFNBO. Renewable hydrogen can be reacted with CO₂ and synthesised to produce more complex liquid hydrocarbons via the Fischer–Tropsch process. These are referred to as e-fuels or paraffinic diesels.

Hydrogen

The attraction of hydrogen is that it has zero harmful tailpipe emissions when used in a fuel cell, and vehicles using it can be refuelled quickly and have a long range. Set against this are the energy losses involved in producing the hydrogen.

There are various different ways of producing hydrogen, and the upstream (or “well to tank”) emissions vary significantly depending on the production pathway. Renewable hydrogen can be made by electrolysing water using renewable electricity. This is the simplest form of a Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin – or RFNBO for short. Another route for making renewable hydrogen is from syngas produced from biomass. This is known as biohydrogen.

Hydrogen from steam reforming natural gas requires carbon capture and storage in order to be a low carbon proposition.

For use in fuel cells the hydrogen has to be extremely low in moisture and very high purity (99% plus), but if used in an ICE the purity requirement is less stringent. At standard room temperature and pressure hydrogen has one third the calorific value of natural gas and half the calorific value of diesel. Pressurising and then storing hydrogen in excess of 700 bar to enable high-pressure filling is energy intensive.

Hydrogen currently pays no fuel duty but does incur VAT at 20%.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

SAF is a low carbon alternative to kerosene jet fuel.

Aviation fuel has stringent specification criteria and fuels must be certified in order to be used in commercial flights. There are a number of aviation fuels derived from biomass that have been certified, and several others are in the approval process. SAF can be made from oil-based feedstocks such as Used Cooking Oil. SAF made this way is referred to as HEFA (Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids). It can also be made from wastes, such as residual Municipal Solid Waste (Waste-to-SAF); renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide (Power-to-SAF or e-SAF) or from recycled carbon sources, such as industrial off-gases e.g. from steel production. This process involves fermenting the off gases to make ethanol, which is then synthesised into aviation fuel via A2J (alcohol to jet) technology. Renewable bioethanol sources can also be used for A2J.

Drop in fuels

Any renewable or sustainable fuel that can be blended with conventional fossil fuels at any level, whilst still meeting the relevant fuel standard (be that for petrol, diesel, aviation or gaseous fuels) is known as a “drop in” fuel. The Department of Transport regards renewable liquid drop in fuels that can be blended with petrol and diesel as strategically important, and is encouraging their development through the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation via the development fuels sub-target. Biomethane made from the thermal treatment of wastes, as being developed by Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd at its Swindon plant is also regarded as a development fuel.

To qualify as development fuels, these fuels must be made from wastes or residues, but not feedstocks that typically go to make biodiesel (i.e. not made from segregated oils or fats). They can also be made from renewable fuels of non-biological origin. See below.

A typical feedstock for producing this fuel would be residual waste. This is a mixture of biomass waste and waste plastics that cannot be recycled. The resulting fuel would be partly renewable, and partly recycled carbon fuel.

Recycled carbon fuels

Recycled carbon fuels are liquid and gaseous fuels produced from liquid or solid waste streams of non-renewable origin which are not suitable for recycling, or from waste processing gas and exhaust gas of non-renewable origin which are produced as an unavoidable and unintentional consequence of the production process in industrial installations.

Fuels such as that which RTFA member Velocys is developing will be made from municipal solid waste. This is a mixture of biomass (roughly 65% by energy) and non-recycled plastics. The resulting fuel would be a combination of renewable and recycled carbon fuel.

The Department for Transport is considering whether to include these fuels within the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. The EU Renewable Energy Directive allows Member States to support recycled carbon fuels alongside renewable fuels, provided they achieve a minimum greenhouse gas saving threshold. The threshold and the methodology for determining it will be agreed by the end of 2021, under a delegated act.

HVO (Hydro-treated vegetable oil)

HVO is a drop in fuel, closely aligned to the chemical composition of diesel and with identical performance characteristics. Warranty concerns are therefore not an issue. GHG savings are typically around 90%.

HVO is made from similar feedstocks to biodiesel, but is more expensive to produce. There is no UK manufacture of HVO, although facilities are planned.

HVO pays full fuel duty (57.95 pence per litre) and VAT at 20%.

Biomethanol

Methanol is the simplest alcohol, with one carbon atom. It is also known as wood alcohol or methyl alcohol. It is used as a fuel, as a solvent and in antifreeze. Bio-methanol, the renewable form of ethanol, can be produced from syngas from the gasification of biomass and wastes, from biogas, or from reacting CO₂ with hydrogen. It can be blended with petrol and diesel, used as feedstock for other derivative fuels such as DME or used as a bunker fuel for shipping. It can also be used in fuel-cells. In comparison with bioethanol it has lower energy density and is poisonous for human consumption. It is used in the UK at about 1/10^th of the volume of bioethanol.

Biopropane (the renewable equivalent of LPG – liquefied petroleum gas)

LPG is a fossil fuel, and biopropane is the renewable equivalent. RTFA member Calor Gas Ltd supplies biopropane for both transport and heating. Biopropane is a by-product of the production of HVO. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane and is a by-product of natural gas and oil extraction and oil refining. It boils at a low temperature and is stored in pressurised steel vessels such as gas bottles or bulk LPG tanks. It can be used as a vehicle fuel, and is particularly used in forklift trucks.

Both LPG and Biopropane pay fuel duty of 31.61 p/kg (equivalent to 16.65p/litre) and VAT at 20%.

Biomethane (the renewable equivalent of natural gas)

Methane is increasingly used to fuel heavy duty vehicles in the UK. It is used in cars elsewhere (particularly in Italy) but this is not envisaged for the UK. Fossil methane, or natural gas can achieve a GHG saving of around 15% compared to diesel, but the renewable equivalent, biomethane, can achieve savings in the region of 85% – 110%. Biomethane achieves negative carbon emissions when produced from animal manure, as it is captured instead being released into the atmosphere during manure storage. Member companies CNG Fuels Ltd and Gasrec supply biomethane in the UK, and Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd will produce biomethane at its Swindon Plant.

It is used either in compressed from or liquefied, and predominantly in 42 tonne Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). We will talk about biomethane from now on. Compressed biomethane requires more storage space on the tractor, and is generally used on 2 axle tractor configurations. Compressed biomethane is stored at pressures of [250bar], whilst liquified is stored at 5 – 10 bar but requires refrigeration at around -160 Celsius.

Compressed biomethane (CBM) may be supplied directly or via mass balance. LNG will always be mass balanced. Mass balancing in this context is putting biomethane in the gas distribution grid in one location, and taking an equivalent amount of gas out in another location, but having the sustainability characteristics of the biomethane follow the contractual pathway taken by the gas.

Natural gas and Biomethane both pay a fuel duty of 24.7p/Kg and VAT at 20%. This fuel duty rate is fixed to 2032, with a review in 2024.

Bioethanol

UK produced bioethanol can achieve GHG savings of over 85%. Bioethanol is made from fermenting starch rich biomass (such as feed wheat or corn). This process produces ethanol with by-products of CO₂ (which can be sold for use in the drinks industry) and DDGS. DDGS stands for distillers dried grains and solubles, and it is a protein-rich solid which is used as an animal feed. Feed wheat is high-starch, low-protein grain which is unsuitable for making milling flour for human consumption. The fermentation process turns the starch to alcohol, and concentrates what protein there is in the DDGS making it a superior animal feed in comparison with the unfermented grain.

There are three bioethanol facilities in the UK, Ensus UK Limited in Teesside, British Sugar in Wissington and Vivergo at Saltend, Hull. also owned by Associated British Fuels. Alcogroup manufactures ethanol at two facilities in the Netherlands. Nova Pangaea Technologies (UK) Limited is developing technology for converting lignin-rich feedstocks into ethanol, along with high value chemicals.

Bioethanol pays full fuel duty (57.95 pence per litre) and VAT at 20%.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel achieves greenhouse gas savings of 87% – 92% compared to diesel. It is made from oil and fat based wastes and residues and oil crops. Waste-based raw feedstocks are preferable, as these give the best greenhouse gas saving and sustainability credentials.

Standard diesel sold at fuel forecourts contains around 7% biodiesel, and for this reason is known as B7. This fuel meets the EN590 standard for ultra low sulphur diesel. Higher blends (of 20%, 30% and even 100% can be used) and typically require some modification to the engine and fuel storage infrastructure. B100 (100% biodiesel) must comply with European Biodiesel Standard EN14214, whilst B20 and 30 must meet EN16709.
Some bus and truck manufacturers (OEMs) do not warranty the use of higher blends in their vehicles. This may be due to the required tests not having been done, rather than genuine concerns over engine impact.

Biodiesel is produced by reacting waste oil with methanol to produce Fatty Acid Methyl Ester. Glycerine is produced as a by-product.

RTFA members Argent Energy, Greenergy International Ltd and Olleco manufacture biodiesel and supply it in a variety of blends.

Biodiesel pays full fuel duty (57.95 pence per litre) and VAT at 20%.

Vivergo Fuels

Vivergo’s £350 million plant is one of Europe’s biggest bioethanol producers (capacity up to 420 million litres of bioethanol per year) and the UK’s largest single source supplier of animal feed.

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