Novozymes ventures into renewable diesel, SAF industry with enzymatic feedstock-pretreatment option

Source: Novozymes

Novozymes announced Nov. 9 that it is venturing into the renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry with its launch of Quara® LowP, an enzymatic solution the company said is designed to “transform the feedstock-pretreatment process.”

“As the world seeks sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels, renewable diesel and SAF production have taken center stage,” the company stated. “By 2030, vegetable oils are projected to account for over 40 percent of global feedstock used in renewable diesel and SAF production. However, producers have long grappled with challenges related to feedstock availability, pricing fluctuations, and the ever-increasing market demand.”

To address these issues, Novozymes said the company has leveraged its experience in enzymatic degumming, which has resulted in Quara LowP.

Novozymes described Quara LowP as “an innovative solution that gives customers flexibility to process mixed feedstocks without negatively impacting their bottom line.”

Hans Ole Klingenberg, an executive with Novozymes, said, “This innovation is a testament to our commitment to sustainable solutions for the renewable diesel and SAF industry. Quara LowP offers producers the flexibility to process blends of feedstocks resulting in increased efficiency, reduced operating costs, and lowered environmental impact. It is a great contribution to the industry and a reflection of Novozymes’ dedication to rethinking tomorrow.”

According to Novozymes, Quara LowP facilitates the efficient processing of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) feedstocks.

By pretreating these feedstocks with Quara LowP, Novozymes said producers can achieve higher yields and lower operational costs while reducing the environmental footprint of their operations.

“HVO/HEFA feedstock producers now have a means to process blends of vegetable oils with other lipid feedstocks without compromising yield or incurring additional operating costs,” the company stated. “The current practice of overusing bleaching earth/bleaching clay to address contaminants in vegetable oils when blending with waste oils is a thing of the past.”

The company added that, with Quara LowP, producers can “enjoy increased yields and lower operating costs, overcoming process inefficiencies,” as well as benefit the industry from “a greener operation, with reduced waste-handling hazards and lower water consumption, aligning with the global sustainability goals.”