VTT to conduct feasibility tests of bio- and waste-based fuel oil for ships

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and a number of partner agencies will begin work on a project to determine the feasibility of powering marine diesel engines using fuel oils made from biomass and waste plastics.

The project’s objective is to develop bio- or waste-based fuel oil that is identical in chemical composition to fossil fuel oil but does not require significant modifications to enable it to be used in existing diesel engines. The oil must also be capable of being mixed with fossil fuel oils while minimising sulphur, nitrogen, and particulate emissions.

The project has a budget of €1.6 million (US$1.74 million) and is co-financed by, along with Business Finland and VTT, the participating companies that include Auramarine, Fortum, Neste, Pohjanmaan Hyötyjätekuljetus, Polartek, St1, and Valmet.