How our pyrolysis oil will support the green vision of global shipping

It is estimated that 80% of the worlds goods are carried by sea and in recent months the passage of goods across the world has garnered more media attention than usual as global supply chains have faced unprecedented challenges.

But whilst shipping companies are working tirelessly to keep supply chains open and viable, there is also much work going on behind the scenes to make the shipping industry more sustainable, thereby reducing emissions which are currently tipped to be about 940m tonnes of carbon dioxide being released every year. With emissions in the industry predicted to rise by 250% by 2050 it is clear that action needs to be taken and environmental concerns addressed.

Several companies are working to develop technologies that reduce emissions such as Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and there has been much media coverage on other things that may fuel ships in the future from Carbon Dioxide to plastics. With statistics showing that currently only around 600 of the worlds shipping fleet is powered by alternative fuels, it seems like there is still much to be done in finding alternative fuel sources and lowering emissions.

What could therefore be achieved if the fuel at source was more environmentally friendly?

End of life tyres and fuel

Our pyrolysis plant produces an oil that has been proven to be successfully blended with marine oil to create a new, greener marine fuel.

The oil we produce has a relatively low sulphur level (c.0.8-1.2%) and can be directly blended with marine fuel specifications RMG380/3.5% and RMG180/1.5% up to 25%. Successful laboratory testing carried out in 2021 validated and proved the compatibility.

Each plant delivers savings of over 2,700,000 kg of CO2 per annum, meaning each litre of fuel is carbon negative - saving 675grams of CO2 per litre. A 10% blend (a percentage similar to the new UK E10 fuel specifications) of our TPO fuel with a Marine Fuel would therefore reduce CO2 by 13%.

The future for fuel

Just as in any other transport industry, changes are necessary for the shipping industry to ensure this too strives to become more sustainable, carbon neutral and environmentally friendly. There is much legislative activity across the globe, however generally, there is one clear focus. To find ways of making the shipping industry greener, just as there is a global shift towards finding new ways to power our cars and road vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen powered transport rather than those with an internal combustion engine (ICE) hydrogen powered buses.

In addition to our innovative project which, when upscaled as more plants are commissioned and become operational will deliver even greater benefits in the continued search for alternative marine fuel, there are several other exciting projects that will deliver similar impacts.

The Bin2Barrel project at the Port of Amsterdam sees the development of a plant to repurpose non-recyclable plastic into green marine fuel. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line operator, Hurtigruten, has already made great advances into ensuring its fleet is carbon neutral by 2050 by using organic waste material, including fish waste, to create a liquefied bio-gas.

The team at Carlton Forest Renewables is proud to be playing its part and is excited about the possibilities for upscaling the integration of our oil into marine oil to lower emissions, drive efficiencies, and assist the shipping industry in its quest for greater sustainability.

The next Green Shipping Summit will take place in February 2022 in Rotterdam - https://www.gssummit.org/