What are advanced biofuels and why are they key to the energy transition?
In a global context marked by the urgency to reduce emissions and move towards a lower carbon economy, advanced biofuels have become an essential piece of the energy puzzle. Unlike traditional biofuels, advanced biofuels are produced from waste and by-products, making them more sustainable and efficient in the long term.
What do we mean by advanced biofuels?
Advanced biofuels are those that do not compete with the food chain and are obtained from residual or second-generation raw materials, such as used cooking oils (UCO), animal fats, agricultural waste, sewage sludge or industrial waste. Their production does not require the use of specific crops and, therefore, does not generate pressure on agricultural resources or make foodstuffs more expensive.
Compared to conventional (first-generation) biofuels, advanced biofuels offer better environmental performance and greater potential for scalability, meeting the targets set by the European Union.
The role of biofuels in the energy transition.
Mobility accounts for about 25% of global CO₂ emissions, and many of its segments – such as aviation, shipping or heavy transport – cannot be easily electrified. In these cases, biofuels are a real, available and scalable solution.
They also promote the circular economy by transforming waste into useful energy, help reduce dependence on oil and enable the development of more sustainable local value chains.
At BV Oils, we have been working with biofuels for more than 29 years and more than a century dedicated to oils and all their derivatives. Our specialization in residual feedstocks and technical pre-treatments always allows us to offer solutions adapted to the new challenges of the energy sector.