Biofuels
As pioneer in the large scale marketing and distribution of biofuels in the Benelux, North Sea Group has set the market standard by blending biofuels with mineral oil.
Biodiesel (Fame)
Biodiesel is a biofuel made of fatty acids, such as vegetable oil and animal fat, which are separated into smaller molecules by adding methanol and a catalyst in a process known as transesterification. North Sea Group’s main supplier makes biodiesel out of residual flows, such as frying fat, from hotels, restaurants and food producers.
Bioethanol
Bioethanol is used as a petrol replacement and is the result of fermentation (sugarcane, wheat, maize, etc.). Bioethanol is generally known in Europe as E85, which is 85% bioethanol and 15% unleaded petrol. North Sea Group blends sugarcane ethanol with fossil petrol, as ethanol from this crop provides the highest degree of CO2 reduction.
Bio-jet
North Sea Group and KLM have joined forces towards the development of alternative fuels. KLM reached a milestone on 23 November 2009 with the world’s first demonstration flight using 50% renewable biofuel and 50% traditional kerosene.
Combining KLM’s aviation expertise and North Sea Group’s biofuel know-how for road transport, this partnership is destined to make a difference in the development of commercial bio-jet fuels.