2 March 2023

Neste welcomes the German government’s plan to approve the sales of 100% synthetic fuels in Germany as an important step in the fight against climate change

Neste Corporation, News, 2 March 2023

Neste welcomes the German government's plan to approve the sales of 100% synthetic fuels at fuel stations. So far, the sales of synthetic fuels, such as e-fuels and renewable diesel (also known as “HVO”), in Germany have been largely limited to fuel blends in which these fuels have represented about 26 percent maximum. The sales of unblended 100% renewable diesel has previously only been allowed in specific segments, such as in  non-road vehicles and public transportation. The planned approval by the government would in the near future allow 100% renewable diesel to be sold and used unblended in all segments in Germany.

"We are very pleased that the German government plans to approve synthetic fuels, allowing 100% renewable diesel to be sold at all fuel stations. This means that in the near future, also privately operated vehicle fleets and consumers will be able to use this product and instantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions," says Peter Zonneveld, Vice President Sales Europe and APAC at Neste. "This is a significant step in the fight against climate change. It is now necessary to legally implement the decision as quickly as possible," Peter Zonneveld continues. 

By using Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, which is made from 100% renewable raw materials, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are reduced by as much as 75 to 95%* over the life cycle of the fuel compared to fossil diesel. Neste MY Renewable Diesel is fully compatible with all diesel engines and the existing fuel distribution infrastructure. Thanks to the Clean Vehicle Directive, Neste has already been selling Neste MY Renewable Diesel to municipalities and public transportation companies, while Neste MY Renewable Diesel has also been available for the use in non-road applications in Germany, such as in agriculture, construction, trains and in the marine sector.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel has a similar chemical composition to fossil diesel, making it a drop-in replacement to this fossil fuel. It can be used unblended (100% concentration) without the need for any changes in the diesel-powered vehicles or their engines. The use of 100% renewable diesel is widely approved by vehicle and engine manufacturers 

*The GHG emission reduction varies depending on the region-specific legislation that provides the methodology for the calculations (e.g. EU RED II 2018/2001/EU for Europe and US California LCFS for the US), and the raw material mix used to manufacture the product for each market. 

Further information: Please contact Neste's media service, tel. +358 800 94025 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET). Please subscribe to Neste’s releases at https://www.neste.com/for-media/releases-and-news/subscribe.

Neste in brief

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for combating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We refine waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste challenge. We aim at helping customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Our ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe by 2030. We are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. We have committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and we will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. We also have set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and supply chain. We have consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2022, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 25.7 billion. Read more: neste.com