Neste Oil has applied for patents to cover technology developed to produce microbial oil from waste and residues with the help of various yeasts and molds for use as a feedstock for its NExBTL renewable diesel. NExBTL technology is very flexible. It can be used to produce renewable diesel from different types of raw materials, such as vegetable oil and waste fat from food industry.
Research work started with the Aalto University School of Science and Technology, Finland, at the end of 2007. It has resolved the process technology-related challenges involved. Microbial oil produced in this way has been successfully refined into renewable diesel.
Emphasis now will shift to evaluating microbial oil’s potential for pilot-scale production. Commercial production will begin in 2015 at the earliest.
