ORLEN Unipetrol launched pilot renewable diesel sales at ORLEN filling stations.
The network of ORLEN filling stations has started offering a fully synthetic fuel – hydrotreated vegetable oil with 100% purity (HVO100). This fuel is made of vegetable oils and waste products in the food and catering industry, including used cooking oil. It can lower GNG emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuels, which is fully in line with ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s long-term strategy regarding sustainable development and reduction in carbon emissions. The pilot sales were launched at the ORLEN filling station in Rokycany, Czechia. Expanding the sales to other filling stations in the Czech Republic and including the fuel in the ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s wholesale offer is planned for the first quarter of next year.
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, a member of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, responsible for retail and marketing management. She adds:
Our strategic ambition is to cut CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2019 and reach a net zero by 2050.
“We are implementing many decarbonisation projects in industry and transport to accomplish these goals. Besides building the infrastructure for battery- and hydrogen-driven e-mobility, we start selling advanced biofuels at ORLEN filling stations, which enable our customers to reduce their carbon footprint significantly,”
“These activities are a part of our strategy focused on lowering emissions and using renewable sources. They also comply with the EU RED III directive and the National Plan for Pure Mobility of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic.”
This synthetic diesel designed for passenger cars and trucks is now available at the ORLEN filling station in Rokycany and will be gradually expanded to other ORLEN filling stations. Apart from retail sales, ORLEN Unipetrol plans to include the HVO100 in its wholesale fuel offer at the beginning of next year.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a modern type of fuel with a cetane rating of over 70. It provides better starting, smoother operation, and lower emissions than conventional diesel fuel. It protects engines and filters thanks to a high chemical purity. It is suited for cold weather and has longer storage times. The HVO100 is compatible with a clear majority of diesel engines without any technical modification. The new engines are even approved for this fuel type (“XTL” designation on the tank lid).
It can also be used in railway transport. In cooperation with Czech Railways, ORLEN Unipetrol tests its use in Pesa motor units, 847 RegioFox series. The project scheduled for 2024 and 2025 aims to lower GNG emissions in railway transport by dozens of per cent.
HVO’s composition corresponds to an oil diesel fraction and meets the ČSN EN 15940 standard and the Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council 2009/30/EC regarding the quality of market fuels. HVO made from various sources has different qualities. The difference is in the cleaning method, hydrogen consumption, and emission footprint. If HVO is made from a vegetable source planted for fuel production purposes, the final emission footprint includes all activities associated with its production. Still, it offers significant savings in GNG emissions (60-65% of CO2 equivalent) compared to fossil fuels. If used vegetable oils or fats are used, as well as waste materials, emission savings can make up to 90-95% compared to oil-based fuels.
The international network of ORLEN filling stations, which comprises 3,500 sites in seven European countries, offers this renewable fuel in Czechia and Germany – in Boizenburg on the Elbe and Achim at Bremen. Sales in Poland is being prepared.
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ORLEN Unipetrol launched pilot renewable diesel sales at ORLEN filling stations. source
