EUBCE 2025 - Jonas ZETTERHOLM - Biofuel Infrastructure in Transition: Addressing Competing Demands from Road, Aviation, and Maritime Sectors

Biofuel Infrastructure in Transition: Addressing Competing Demands from Road, Aviation, and Maritime Sectors

Short Introductive summary

RED III and sector-specific targets under ReFuel EU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime are expected to significantly increase biofuel demand. This study evaluates the impact on the EU's existing biofuel infrastructure, which currently focuses on road transport but may shift production to aviation and maritime sectors. The aviation industry is anticipated to require SAF produced via the HEFA pathway. Converting HVO plants to SAF is feasible and cost-effective, but this shift will reduce HVO availability for road transport. The maritime sector will likely meet emission targets with alternative fuels like ammonia and methanol, which cannot be produced with current biofuel infrastructure. However, if technologies to produce these alternative fuels are not commercialized, the maritime sector may also compete for HVO. Limited potential for increased use of current feedstocks, such as residue oils, and blending limits on FAME with diesel restrict the ability to fill gaps in HVO supply. This study highlights the need for rapid investment in biofuel infrastructure that can utilize new feedstocks to meet the competing demands of various sectors.

J. Zetterholm, RISE, Sundsvall, SWEDEN
O. Cintas, RISE, Gothenburg, SWEDEN
J. Torén, RISE, Gothenburg, SWEDEN
L. Lundberg, RISE, Gothenburg, SWEDEN