World News
InSciTe Draws Nearer to Lignin-Derived Marine Fuel
The Eindhoven University of Technology says a bio-based process to create marine fuel from lignin could soon be ready for commercialisation following development at the Chemelot Institute for Science & Technology (Chemelot InSciTe) in the Netherlands.
"The InSciTe researchers have been collaborating with, among others, a shipping company and a marine engine designer for some years now in their pursuit of a bio-based heavy fuel oil," explains the university.
Crude lignin oil (CLO) is said to be "much more sustainable and environmentally friendly" than conventional bunker fuels.
"Lignin is normally a by-product in the manufacture of second-generation bio-ethanol," said Eindhoven University of Technology's Michael Boot, who is leading the Lignin RICHES project.
"Normally, it is then simply burned and used as an energy source in that same biorefinery. But when converted into CLO and used as an alternative for more expensive – and much dirtier – bunker oil, the economic value of lignin increases roughly fourfold."
Work is ongoing under the Lignin RICHES project to "fine-tune" the CLO refining process to further improve efficiency and reduce costs.
"The future success of the project depends on us bringing more industrial partners on-board so that we can take the next important step towards more sustainable maritime transport," said Boot.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 647.50 | 1.00 | 770.00 | 3.50 |
| Rotterdam | 601.50 | 2.50 | 754.00 | 2.00 |
| Houston | 619.00 | 11.50 | 795.50 | 3.00 |
| Fujairah | 651.50 | 1.00 | 895.00 | 2.00 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 664.00 | 1.50 | 856.50 | 2.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 630.00 | 3.00 | 803.50 | 2.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 718.00 | 0.50 | 914.50 | 0.50 |
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