Neste investing in waste feedstock research with eye on bioplastics

In Finland, Neste is putting a large amount of resources into research on waste and residue raw materials. In addition to biofuels, also bioplastics can be produced from waste and residues in the future. The company is also focusing its raw materials research on waste plastics as a substitute for crude oil in the manufacture of oil products.

The idea of “one’s waste is a valuable raw material to another” is central to the circular economy, and, for over a decade, it has inspired Neste’s development and production of renewable fuels. The company already produces enough Neste MY Renewable Diesel, produced of waste and residues, to power more than two million cars for a year. This will enable Neste’s customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by almost 7 million tons this year. Underpinning this progress is the company’s patented NEXBTL technology for refining low-quality waste fats into high-quality, fully renewable fuel. The same technology can be used to produce other renewable products also, such as renewable aviation fuel and raw material for bioplastics.

The primary aim is to find increasingly lower grade waste and residue raw materials that have no other significant uses. Among the most important new raw materials of the future that Neste is interested are residues from the forestry industry, algae, and waste plastics. The research on waste plastics is focused on how to introduce it as a raw material in oil refining processes. For example, plastic packaging materials could be recycled, instead of being disposed of in waste incinerators, and could replace crude oil in the manufacture of petroleum products.