SHV Energy has paired with Neste to produce Europe’s first BioLPG, made from waste and residues from industry, and renewable vegetable oils.

BioLPG is a low carbon alternative to conventional liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG, otherwise known as propane or butane, is a common energy source that can be used for cooking, heating, transportation or refrigeration. It is especially useful for applications where access to other energy sources is limited.

The BioLPG is actually a co-product from the Neste biodiesel production facility in Rotterdam. Biodiesel is made from a combination of around 60% waste and residue materials from industry – animal fats from meat and fish processing for example – and 40% renewable vegetable oils. The vegetable oil mix used to produce biodiesel, which includes palm oil, is sourced from certified sustainably grown producers. Specifically, their inputs are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RPSO), meaning they act in accordance with standards on labour standards, biodiversity conservation, land use change, pollution and more.

BioLPG has the same chemical composition as conventional LPG, meaning that it can be mixed with LPG to ensure that it can be seamlessly integrated into existing logistics networks. Each shipment is issued with certification stating how it was produced and the origins of the fuel feedstocks, in keeping with traceability legislation imposed by the European Union.

SHV Energy received their first shipment of BioLPG from the Neste refinery in March 2018, and is expecting 160,000 tonnes more over the next four years. It is the first BioLPG fuel available in Europe.

LPG can emit 50% less greenhouse gas emissions than coal, and 12% less than petroleum, but BioLPG can offer 80% reductions. As advances are made in the transportation sector, BioLPG can offer an attractive alternative to reduce emissions and costs, especially for larger vehicles such as trucks and lorries.