Natural gas or methane can also be produced from sustainable, renewable feedstock. This is often called bioLNG, or liquefied biomethane, and can be abbreviated as LBM. BioLNG can be produced from a range of bio waste materials like agricultural residues, industrial and municipal waste, manure, sewage sludge, etc. Liquefaction of biomethane results in bioLNG. Biomethane can be produced from biogas upgrading through the removal of CO2 and other impurities. It is also generated via methanation of synthesis gas produced via thermal gasification of cellulosic materials such as forestry residues or other waste and residues. BioLNG can be used as a drop-in replacement for LNG.

BioLPG, also called biopropane and biobutane, is chemically identical to LPG and is compatible with all LPG products, but with a lower carbon footprint thanks to the sustainably sourced renewable feedstock it is produced from. BioLPG has absolutely no compromise on performance, so it's as energy efficient as LPG, whilst supporting us all to achieve a greener tomorrow. BioLPG can be produced in several ways depending on the feedstock and process. Currently, the main production method is the renewable (or HVO) biodiesel production process which also generates a by-product of bioLPG. During manufacturing, the feedstocks undergo a series of complex treatments. They are combined with hydrogen in a process, called hydrogenolysis, which separates and purifies their energy content. During the refining process, a variety of waste ‘off-gases’ are produced that contain propane or bioLPG. For every tonne of biodiesel, 50 kg of bioLPG is generated from this off-gas stream. This co-product is then purified to make it identical to conventional propane. Learn more about bioLPG here.

Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a major part of the energy transition and the future energy scenario for our markets around the world. Right now, most of the world’s hydrogen is produced industrially from natural gas and coal, which generates significant carbon emissions. We call this “grey” hydrogen since the feedstock source is fossil. If you capture the carbon emissions either for storage (called CCS) or reuse (called CCU) this can generate ‘blue’ hydrogen. Whilst this process uses fossil feedstocks it has a very limited impact on CO2 emissions. The CO2 captured can then be used, together with H2, to produce other alternative fuels. The development of technologies for CCS/CCU at large scale will be the key for the growth of “blue hydrogen”. “Green” hydrogen is generated using renewable energy sources, like green electricity from wind and solar. With this green electricity you perform water electrolysis to generate green hydrogen without producing any carbon emissions during the process. We are very interested to explore how green hydrogen can play a role for our offgrid, decentral customers around the world. Hydrogen is a major building block in the global chemical industry, but its role in the energy transition is growing rapidly, representing a clear solution for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like high-temperature industrial processes and heavy duty transport.

Renewable DME (dimethyl ether) is a clean, colourless gas, similar to LPG, that is easy to liquefy and transport. Renewable DME can be produced using a variety of feedstocks such as waste from pulp and paper mills, forest products, agricultural residues, manure and municipal waste. It can either be produced from methanol dehydration or directly from synthesis gas produced via thermal gasification. Like LPG, renewable DME is gaseous at normal temperature and pressure. You probably already have some DME in your house – it’s currently around the world in the personal care industry (as a benign aerosol propellant). Thanks to the huge availability of potential feedstock and it’s clean and easy handling properties, it is now increasingly being explored for use as a clean fuel alternative. Options include blending fuel with LPG, as a replacement of diesel and gasoline and as an efficient hydrogen carrier for the future energy mix.

World LPG Association (WLPGA)

SHV Energy is a leading member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), the voice of the global LPG industry that represents the full LPG value chain.

SHV Energy is a driving member of Liquid Gas Europe, the European LPG Association.

European Biogas Assocation (EBA)

SHV Energy is an active member of the European Biogas Association (EBA). EBA advocates for the recognition of biomethane and other renewable gases including bioLPG as an important corner stone of carbon neutral economy in Europe. Its mission is to boost the production and consumption of sustainable renewable gases in Europe for all energy sectors, including transport, domestic and industrial uses (heat, feedstock). SHV Energy supports the association in its mission and activities to promote renewable gases for their intrinsic socio-economic and environmental benefits.

World Biogas Assocation

In 2019, SHV Energy joined several other industry leaders as a signatory to the World Biogas Association challenge to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 12% globally through the exploitation of renewable gases, see here. Within the World Biogas Assocation, SHV Energy has commited to 7 ambitions. Read more about them on the partnerships page.

International DME Association (IDA)

In 2019, SHV Energy announced it would strengthen its role in the International DME Association as Patron member.

Sustainable fuels – SHV Energy

Q: Future fuels

Our future energy product portfolio will likely also include new energy sources currently still being explored - ammonia, methanol and other e-fuels currently in development around the world. Our team at SHV Energy is constantly on the lookout for new, biobased and renewably sourced fuels to offer our customers. We are currently exploring a couple of promising new fuels together with our stakeholders and partners around the world. Do you have an idea or suggestion for us to consider? Please get in contact with us biofuels@shvenergy.com

Sustainable fuels

We support the energy transition by using our market leading position to advance the availability of sustainable fuels.

From pioneering and launching bioLPG in Europe, to piloting rDME trials in Germany, and taking the first delivery of bioLNG in Italy, SHV Energy has been at the forefront in developing alternatives beyond fossil LPG.

Today bioLPG is available to customers in the majority of our European markets as a drop in solution

And we continue to progress other sustainable fuels by collaborating with partners and using our scale and market-leading position to help drive take-up and accessibility

Sustainable solutions

What are sustainable fuels?

Sustainable fuels replace or greatly reduce the mining or drilling of fossil fuels from below the earth’s surface. They are produced from renewable and/or alternative feedstocks, such as plant, vegetable or industrial waste.

We’re committed to growing our supply of sustainable fuels.

Our sustainable ambition

SHV Energy is proud to supply our customers around the globe with decentralised, safe, lower-carbon, and cleaner energy. We believe that sustainable fuels will play a central role in transitioning to a carbon-neutral world.

We work closely with our employees, customers, suppliers, and partners to continuously identify new solutions and make them available.

The use of new, renewable and lower-carbon feedstocks, such as biomass, agricultural, residential and industrial waste products, provide enormous opportunity for us and our partners and customers. We work with feedstock providers, technology suppliers and policy makers to ensure that biobased gas innovation continues to prosper. We welcome sustainable, high-quality and safe biogas initiatives, particularly those that provide cleaner, lower-carbon energy for consumers living or working beyond the natural gas grid. In turn, we remain committed to providing a valuable, safe energy supply for our ever-growing customer base.

Our offerings

Our sustainable fuels portfolio

We offer a range of sustainable fuels today and are piloting and exploring others. Our portfolio includes the following fuels:

bioLPG

bioLPG, or Futuria Propane, is identical in use and performance to conventional LPG but with a much lower carbon footprint. Produced from renewable feedstocks, such as plant and vegetable waste, bioLPG reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 80%. It is supplied as propane. We launched bioLPG in 2018 and today it is available in 12 countries and widely expanding. bioLPG allows customers to immediately switch to a renewable energy source with no modifications to existing infrastructure.

bioLNG

bioLNG, or Futuria LNG, is produced from sustainable, renewable feedstock and is supplied as biomethane generated from biogas. Our bioLNG is being actively piloted and is expected to join our portfolio of sustainable offerings soon.

rDME

Renewable and recycled carbon DME, also called rDME, is dimethyl ether, a clean, colourless gas that is produced from renewable or recycled carbon feedstocks, such as manure. rDME is easy to liquefy and transport.

Future fuels

Our future fuels portfolio will likely also include new energy sources that are still being explored, such as ammonia, methanol, and other e-fuels. We are continuously searching for new, biobased, and renewably sourced fuels to offer our customers, and are now exploring several promising fuels together with our stakeholders and partners around the world. Do you have an idea or suggestion for us to consider? Please get in touch with us via email.

Collaborations

Helicopter view of Delfzijl, The Netherlands

Case study

SHV Energy, SkyNRG and KLM announce a project to build first European plant for sustainable aviation fuel.

SHV Energy has invested in a new plant for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that will be developed by SkyNRG. SHV Energy will purchase the bioLPG that is produced.

Case study

Ulster University collaboration - researching the energy solutions of the future.

We have a global portfolio of research and development projects. We are particularly focused on the area of novel bio-based transformation processes for the production of bioLPG and other biogases from renewable sources of feedstock.