Definition and properties

Synthetic Fuels are clean, high quality diesel fuels made from various feedstocks. Synthetic fuels include BTL (Biomass to Liquid), GTL (Gas to Liquid) as well as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). The use of such advanced diesel alternative fuels can contribute to significant environmental benefits and to the diversification of energy supplies in Europe.

 

Regardless of the feedstock, all synthetic fuels have the following properties :

• sulphur-free, low aromatic, odourless, colourless liquid fuels
  
• allow significant reduction of regulated and non-regulated vehicle pollutant emissions (NOx, SOx, PM, VOC, CO)
  
• contribute to oil substitution, diversification and security of energy supply
  
• can be used in existing diesel fuelling infrastructure
  
• can be used in existing diesel engines
  
• enable the development of new generation of internal combustion engine technologies with improved engine efficiency and further reduction of vehicle pollutant emissions
  
• are readily biodegradable, and non-toxic / not harmful to aquatic organisms

 

Synthetic fuels are not made from crude oil, they belong to the alternative fuel family. Moreover, HVO and BTL are also renewable fuels which comply with the sustainability criteria for biofuels as defined by the European Union.