Case Study

Commercialising biofuels from waste fats

Innovative chemical processes to produce biofuels at scale from waste fats

CamIn works with early adopters to identify new opportunities enabled by emerging technology.

Revenue:
$25 billion+
Employee headcount:
5,000+
Opportunity:
Future mobility
Sponsored:
SVP of Technology
86
%

of CamIn’s project team comprised of leading industry and technology experts

CamIn’s expert team

CamIn team members
Energy sustainability
Waste fat recycling
Refining & biolipids
Hydrotreatments
4

Purification categories identified

15

Purification methods confirmed

7

Week project duration

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Global biofuel demand is rising and changing market dynamics are at play. Global biofuel consumption could rise by 20% from 2022-2027, according to a forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA). At the same time, the EU is to phase out the processing of fresh vegetable oils into biofuels by 2030, making exploring new sources a priority.

Creating greener feedstocks for biofuels

In view of the changing market dynamics, our client, a company with innovative technology for biofuel production in Europe, wanted to expand their capabilities in developing non-fossil-fuel feedstocks. While the client had experience in this sector already, they needed new solutions.  

The goal was to develop new technology that would enable them to process dirtier animal fats and vegetable oils—such as wastes and residues—and produce feedstocks for greener biofuels.

Our client needed an efficient process to remove common, troublesome impurities, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The goal was to pursue a long-term technology collaboration to develop, improve, and commercialise existing waste fat and oil processing solutions. We were enlisted to provide expert advice and assessment in scouting for potential partners with suitable technology portfolios.

Identifying advances in purifying waste fats and oils

CamIn assembled a multidisciplinary team to research the technology landscape and identify the most recent advances related to the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen impurities from waste fats and oils. After this, we identified the types of technology that could achieve our client’s goals.

Our expert team comprised those with industry-specific knowledge of biofuels and modified refining techniques, and detailed knowledge of the fundamental chemical processes necessary to achieve our client’s goals. This expertise provided an additional level of due diligence through their analysis, identifying promising and active topics in this research area. We also evaluated recent innovations that had occurred in other industries, ensuring that we had identified all solutions relevant to our client’s specific goals.

Project Output Examples

Based on our guidance, our client could select a development partner and initiate a programme to create and commercialise new waste fat and oil processing technologies.

Evaluating individuals, research groups and companies

We then selected the most suitable candidates—including individuals, research groups, and companies—from the areas identified by our research. After that, we considered solutions across a range of technology readiness levels. Our team then investigated candidates in greater detail to confirm that their solutions were suitable for our client. Each candidate’s previous work, the client’s industry, their publications, past collaborations, and other relevant aspects of their accomplishments were also evaluated. Based on our guidance, our client could select a development partner and initiate a programme to create and commercialise new waste fat and oil processing technologies.