Neste has introduced a new co-processed renewable feedstock under its established Neste RE™ brand, aimed at the polymers and chemicals sector.
The innovation involves co-processing renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oil, alongside fossil crude oil at Neste’s conventional oil refinery in Porvoo, Finland.
As a result, the company can now produce an additional type of Neste RE, a drop-in feedstock for plastics and chemicals production.
Reducing Carbon Footprint in Chemical Production
By replacing fossil crude oil with renewable raw materials, Neste’s new feedstock boasts a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil-based feedstocks in the chemicals industry.
The initiative aligns with Neste’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and provides a more eco-friendly solution for chemical production.
Mass Balance Approach for Sustainability
To ensure transparency and traceability, Neste will apply a mass balance approach.
This method will track the renewable raw materials used in the co-processing process. It will attribute the associated sustainability benefits to the Neste product.
The resulting feedstock consists of pure hydrocarbons. These can replace conventional fossil feedstocks, such as naphtha or propane, in plastics and chemicals manufacturing.
Commitment to Reducing Fossil Raw Material Use
Jeroen Verhoeven, Commercial Director for Polymers and Chemicals at Neste, emphasized the company’s clear goal: ‘Reduce the use of fossil raw materials in the chemicals industry’.
The introduction of co-processing renewable raw materials expands Neste’s offering to the chemicals sector. This contributes to the gradual transformation of the Porvoo refinery into a hub for renewable and circular solutions.
Diversifying Neste RE Production Routes
Neste’s co-processed feedstock adds a third route to produce Neste RE, complementing the company’s existing methods.
These include production from 100% renewable raw materials at Neste’s renewables refineries. This production is based on the proprietary NEXBTL technology and also involves the chemical recycling of circular raw materials, such as hard-to-recycle plastic waste.
Leveraging Co-Processing Expertise
The latest development builds on Neste’s expertise in co-processing renewable raw materials. The company has successfully applied this expertise in the production of marine fuel and heating liquids.
As per the press release, Neste continues to lead in sustainable innovations. By extending this technology to the polymers and chemicals industry, the company advances its commitment to sustainability.
