A recent study commissioned by the German Environmental Aid (DUH) is questioning the climate-friendliness of biodiesel derived from used cooking oil. According to the research, the use of HVO 100 biofuel, produced from recycled cooking oil, may not benefit the climate and, when considering all effects, could even be detrimental. Horst Fehrenbach, a researcher at the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (Ifeu) and a co-author of the study, made the statement to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
The investigation reveals that the used cooking oil utilized for biodiesel production originates almost entirely from overseas – specifically, 99.99% is imported. Approximately half of this supply comes from Asia, with significant sources located in China, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Researchers indicate that the increased demand for this biofuel in countries like Germany is drawing used cooking oil away from its source regions. This depletion of local supply is reportedly being compensated for in those nations by substituting it with cheaper palm oil. Concerns exist regarding palm oil’s environmental impact, as its production often involves deforestation of rainforests and the drainage of peatlands, both of which release significant amounts of greenhouse gases.
HVO 100 has been promoted in Germany as a means of improving the carbon footprint of public and long-distance transportation. The industry has previously estimated that biodiesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87% compared to diesel produced from petroleum. This study challenges that long-held assumption and raises questions about the true environmental benefit of the current HVO 100 supply chain.
