Neste's Renewable Fuels Help Slash GHG Emissions in 2018

In 2018, Neste's renewable fuels helped private motorists as well as professional and commercial drivers in several geographic markets reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by altogether 7.9 million tons, equaling the annual carbon footprint of almost 500,000 average U.S. citizens.

When compared to emissions from average passenger cars, the positive climate impact resulting from replacing fossil fuel usage with Neste's renewable fuels in 2018 was the same as if 3 million passenger cars had been removed from the roads for a full year, noted the company.

"While we continue discussing various future alternatives for reducing transport-related emissions, high-quality renewable fuels, such as Neste MY Renewable Diesel, continue to steadily reduce transportation-related emissions even as we speak," said Kaisa Hietala, Neste's executive vice president in the Renewable Products business area, in a statement. "The fuel provides its users a concrete, cost-effective way to combat climate change while also helping various organizations, cities, municipalities and even countries to meet their emissions reduction and carbon neutrality targets."

Waste and residue raw materials account for approximately 80 percent of Neste's annual usage of renewable raw material, which maximizes the average emission reduction that Neste's renewable fuels provide as a whole. Switching from fossil diesel to 100 percent Neste MY Renewable Diesel produced entirely from waste and residue raw materials results in 80 percent smaller GHG emissions on the average when lifecycle emissions of both fuels are compared.

For more than 10 years, Neste said it has steadily increased the volume of renewable products that it brings to the market. Nowadays, Neste produces some 2.7 million tons of renewable products at its refineries in Finland, the Netherlands and Singapore.

In December 2018, the company announced its decision to invest approximately 1.4 billion euro to expand its renewable products production capacity in Singapore, bringing the total renewable product capacity close to 4.5 million tons annually in 2022. Neste's target is to reduce GHG emissions by 9 million tons annually with its renewable products in 2022.

"As our economy grows, it is vital we find a way to accommodate that growth while reducing our impact on the environment," said Jeremy Baines, vice president of sales for Neste US, in a statement. "It is encouraging to see our emissions reduction numbers for 2018 and helps us set even more ambitious goals going forward."