A Victorian refinery has received international certification to produce co-processed renewable diesel.
Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery has received the certification that also includes production of recycled polypropylene (rPP) and bio-polypropylene (bioPP) products that are critical components in the growing market for recycled food-grade plastic.
These products can all be manufactured at the Geelong refinery using sustainable feedstocks, including used cooking oil and soft plastics pyrolysis oil made from waste plastic.
In the past 12 months, Viva Energy worked on a trial with Intersnack ANZ, owner of Snackbrands Australia, that involved co-processing used cooking oil from the production of well-known snacks such as Kettle Chips, CC’s, Cheezels and Thins. The trial converted the used cooking oil into a certified bio circular polymer, which was then used to produce ISCC+ certified, food-grade packaging for Snackbrands’ iconic products.
The ISCC+ (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) recognition supports Viva Energy’s circular, bio-based and renewable material processing, which helps build customer trust and market transparency, resulting in greater confidence in the sustainability of these products.
The certification for renewable diesel is an important breakthrough for Viva Energy, positioning the Geelong refinery to become an early manufacturer of low carbon liquid fuels. This will support the government’s Future Made in Australia and Cleaner Fuels Programs which encourage the development of a lower carbon fuel manufacturing industry to reduce emissions from transport and other fuel-using sectors.
Viva says the co-processed renewable diesel produced will allow diesel users such as heavy vehicle fleet operators to reduce their carbon footprint without having to purchase different technology or modify existing vehicles.
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The brand says there’s been demand growth for renewable diesel, but until now this has been imported from overseas. Now, the certification opens a path for it to be manufactured in Geelong.
Viva Energy’s chief strategy officer Lachlan Pfeiffer says the ISCC+ certification had the potential to open new fuel markets as businesses hunt for ways to reduce Scope 1 emissions in a cost-effective way.
“Our goal is to create a variety of options that support our customers’ decarbonisation journeys,” he says.
“We have our Australian-first new energies service station in Geelong offering renewable hydrogen refuelling and EV charging for heavy vehicles and now we are looking to turn waste oil into valuable, lower carbon fuels.
“All of these initiatives will help to contribute to Australia’s energy transition and the country’s fuel security. That is why having local refining is so important for the country. We play an existing role in supporting our energy security through traditional fuel manufacturing and we have the technology, skills and connection to existing supply chains to cost-effectively develop these lower carbon options in support of the energy transition.”
Pfeiffer says that for Australia to truly unlock the power of low carbon fuels, government recognition of co-processing within the NGERS scheme is essential. He says this support will encourage investment and help Australian businesses adopt new solutions that cut emissions and drive competition.
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