RTFA | Renewable Transport Fuel Association

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.

360 Environmental Ltd

We are an independent team of waste management experts that specialise in helping companies to understand and comply with a wide range of waste legislation compliance issues. With the constant change in regulatory and enforcement requirements, businesses may not be aware they are non-compliant and open to prosecution. We can assess need, advise on change, implement requirements and maintain compliance as well as helping a business to optimise its waste and recycling management.

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.

IRR Waste2Energy

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.

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.

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.

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.

AB Sugar

AB Sugar is a group of businesses, including British Sugar and Vivergo Fuels that is part of Associated British Foods plc (ABF). British Sugar was the first company to manufacture bioethanol in the UK and can produce up to 64,000 tonnes (80 million litres) of bioethanol annually. Vivergo’s £350 million plant, which was one of Europe’s biggest bioethanol producers (could produce up to 420 million litres of bioethanol) and the UK’s largest single source supplier of animal feed. The Vivergo plant ceased production in September 2018.

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%.

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 soluble, and 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.

The petrol sold on public forecourts in the UK contains around 5% bioethanol, whereas E10 (with up to 10% bioethanol) is sold in many countries. The Department for Transport has consulted on introducing E10, and the current plan is to implement it some time during 2021. More information on bioethanol, and its importance to the UK economy can be found in this APPG report. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3fb734_80a189f5f7e1431e996444aa30186c6b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_181,h_256,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/3fb734_80a189f5f7e1431e996444aa30186c6b~mv2.webp

Both E5 and E10 meet the European Standard EN290.

Ensus UK Limited and British Sugar (ABF subsidiary) make bioethanol in the UK, and Vivergo, also owned by Associated British Fuels, has a plant which is currently mothballed awaiting the introduction of E10. 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%.

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.

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%.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

Renewable aviation fuel

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation has a specific sub-target for strategically important fuels, and aviation fuel is one of these. 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. Renewable aviation fuels can also be made from renewable hydrogen 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.

Hydrogen

The attraction of hydrogen is that it has zero tailpipe emissions, 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 transport (i.e. in fuel cells) the hydrogen has to be extremely low in moisture and very high purity (99% plus). 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%.

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.

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%.

Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd

ABSL aims to lead the development of advanced biofuel projects around the world as a project owner and supplier of technology to other organisations. Our RadGas technology is proven at scale to be more reliable and efficient than competing pathways that transform waste into fuels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Velocys Plc

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.

NNFCC

NNFCC 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.

In Perpetuum Partners LLP

Having advised over £2Bn of investment collectively In Perpetuum Partners brings a novel approach to business advice in the bioenergy sector based on our experience of working with successful and struggling businesses. We have advised acquisitions, turnarounds and business investments for green field and brown field bioenergy supply chain businesses. Our advice is based on our 7 layer approach to business analysis that feeds into our strategic planning outcomes.

Flogas

Flogas Britain is one of the UK’s leading LPG supplies. We have over 35 years’ experience supplying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to domestic, commercial and industrial customers off the gas grid. Flogas is a wholly owned subsidiary of DCC plc, a FTSE 100 listed company with an annual turnover of over £14.3 billion.

Decarbonise Fuel Limited

We are working to decarbonise UK transport by generating a saving over fossil fuel using the RTFO scheme. We then pass on as much of the saving as we can to the transport user.

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.

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.

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.

Velocys Plc

Carbon recycling company, LanzaTech is a global leader in gas fermentation, making sustainable fuels and chemicals via biological conversion of waste carbon emissions, including industrial off-gases; syngas generated from any biomass resource (e.g. municipal solid waste), organic industrial waste, agricultural waste); and reformed biogas. LanzaTech’s expertise in fermentation scale up, reactor design, machine learning and synthetic biology has enabled the company to commercialize its recycling process and demonstrate production of over 100 different chemicals. With global investors and partners, LanzaTech has a pipeline of commercial projects around the world and is working across the supply chain to provide novel circular solutions to mitigate carbon by producing consumer goods that would otherwise come from fresh fossil resources..

Renewable Transport Fuel Association

RTFA members

The fuels

Biodiesel

Bioethanol

Biomethane

Biomethanol

Biopropane

Drop in fuels

Electricity

HVO

Hydrogen

Recycled carbon fuels

SAF

RFNBO-popup

What we’ve said

RTFA reaction to Government’s announcement on mandating E10 petrol. 25th Feburary

RTFA assists DfT in developing RTFO guidance on the mass balancing of biomethane

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