Neste develops new solutions to decrease the use of crude oil and increases research and development in Finland
Neste Corporation, Press Release, 18 June 2020 at 1 p.m. (EET)
Neste launches a new research project which aims at developing sustainable and globally scalable raw materials and technology solutions for transportation fuels and the production of chemicals and polymers. These new solutions decrease the use of crude oil and tackle climate change. The new technologies will be based on scalable renewable and circular raw materials that have been difficult to utilize so far, such as forestry or agricultural residues, municipal waste, algae, waste plastics and carbon dioxide.
The commercialization of these raw materials requires long-term research and development of novel value chains with partners. Neste receives support for the project from Business Finland and works closely with companies, research institutes and universities.
“Neste’s target is to become a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. Innovation is an important enabler to strengthen our ambitious growth strategy. Our innovation activities focus on renewing the existing businesses and developing new raw materials and technology solutions for transportation fuels as well as chemicals and polymers,” says Lars Peter Lindfors, Senior Vice President, Innovation at Neste.
In the next few years, Neste will increase its investments in research and development as well as create new jobs in innovation in Finland to secure the company’s long-term growth targets. Increasing innovation promotes the competitiveness of Finnish research institutes and industry, and creates opportunities for new start up’s.
“We are developing waste carbon sources to substitute crude oil with a 5, 10 or 20 year horizon for significant commercial scale. Lignocellulosics could potentially provide a large pool of sustainable feedstock from agricultural and forestry waste and residues. Municipal solid waste and waste plastic are also interesting raw material sources, and could be a relatively short-term solution,” says Lindfors.
Further down the road are algae-based solutions, renewable hydrogen and Power-to-X, which use CO2 and renewable electricity as raw material sources.
The new raw materials have high potential globally and could replace a significant amount of the world’s crude oil use for transportation fuels by 2040.
Neste Corporation
Susanna Sieppi
Vice President, Communications (act.)
More information: Please contact Neste’s media service, tel. +358 50 458 5076 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EET)).
Business Finland challenged large Finnish companies to increase their research, development and innovation activities at the beginning of the year. All proposals were required to have a significant effect on the Finnish government’s employment and RDI targets. Business Finland’s MEUR 60 funding will cover max. half of the total costs of the development projects and it will be paid after the agreed targets have been achieved. The funding will be divided among three projects. Other beneficiaries are Nokia and a joint project by Fortum and Metsä Group.
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enable our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world's largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2019, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 15.8 billion. In 2020, Neste placed 3rd on the Global 100 list of the most sustainable companies in the world. Read more: neste.com
