Environmental Sustainability: Who Are the Leaders in Biofuel Production for the Oil & Gas Industry?

(Offshore Technology/Global Data) The oil & gas industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and biofuels, and growing importance of technologies such as electrolyzers, auto-thermal reforming and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). In the last three years alone, there have been over 523,000 patents filed and granted in the oil & gas industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Environmental sustainability in oil & gas: bio-fuel production.

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.  

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’. 

Shell is one of the leading patents filers in biofuel production for the oil and gas industry. Shell is also the world’s largest distributor of biofuels. Its research is aimed at producing more efficient, low-carbon biofuels primarily for blending applications. The company has research collaborations with leading biotechnology companies and academic institutions. Some other key patent filers in the space include UPM-Kymmene, Neste, and IFP Energies nouvelles.

In terms of application diversity, Enerkem leads the pack, while Sunshine Kaidi New and Corbion stood in the second and third positions, respectively. Canadian biofuels producer, Enerkem, has the most diverse applications range of patents in biofuel production. It specializes in the production of renewable methanol and ethanol from non-recyclable, non-compostable municipal solid waste. Its proprietary thermochemical technology can assimilate a variety of feedstock such as solid waste, mixed plastic waste, and biomass residues.

By means of geographic reach, Gevo held the top position, followed by RAG-Stiftung and Carbonscape. Gevo is a US-based renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company. It primarily focuses on technology development in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable natural gas (RNG) from agricultural feedstock.

With increasing number of government establishments pushing for biofuel blending with conventional fossil fuel-based products such as gasoline and diesel, the demand for biofuel is expected to rise. Leaders in biofuel production technologies stand to gain from this trend in the long run. READ MORE

Excerpt from Energy Monitor/Global Data: Biofuel catalytic cracking is a key innovation area in environmental sustainability

Biofuel catalytic cracking refers to a process by which solid particulate biomass or bio-oil is converted into useful fuel fractions such as bio-gasoline, bio-diesel, and bio-fuel oil using a catalyst and reaction conditions such as high temperature and pressure. The process may involve separating the bio-oil into different boiling point fractions, using mixed metal oxide catalysts, and incorporating recycled content into the process.

Anellotech is one of the leading patent filers in biofuel catalytic cracking for the oil and gas industry. The company develops sustainable technologies to enable production of renewable chemicals and other circular economy materials. Its Bio-TCat technology offers an efficient thermal catalytic process for biofuel production. The company also has collaborations with other similar technology developers to promote the use of its proprietary technology. Some other key patent filers in the space include UPM-Kymmene, Shell, and KiOR.

In terms of application diversity, Energy Absolute leads the pack, while Wilmar and UPM-Kymmene stood in the second and third positions respectively. Energy Absolute, a green energy company based in Thailand, holds one of the diverse sets of patents related to biofuel catalytic cracking. It produces crude palm oil and biodiesel products in its biofuel portfolio.

By means of geographic reach, Valmet held the top position, followed by UPM-Kymmene, Biogenic Reagents and Fortum. Valmet is a Finnish automation company that offers equipment and parts for biofuel production, among other things. It has one of the wider geographical reaches with its biofuel catalytic cracking-related patents, with presence in North America, Europe, Asia, as well as in Australia.

Advancements in biofuel catalytic cracking technology will help drive the growing adoption of biofuels in blending applications and as sustainable aviation fuel. READ MORE

Excerpt from Offshore Technology/Global Data: Microscale biofuel reactors is a key innovation area in environmental sustainability

Microscale biofuel reactors refer to small-scale devices and systems that utilize various biological feedstocks, such as biomass, to produce fuels and other valuable chemicals. These reactors may involve a range of processes and technologies, from catalytic hydroprocessing and gasification to pyrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Mitsubishi is one of the leading patent filers in microscale biofuel reactors for the oil & gas industry. It is a key equipment supplier to the energy industry and is focused on developing sustainable technology for energy harnessing. It has a wide-ranging repertoire of biofuel-related technology and equipment in its product portfolio. Some other key patent filers in the space include Sundrop Fuels and Honeywell.

In terms of application diversity, Enerkem leads the pack,while Sundrop Fuels and BASF stood in the second and third positions, respectively. Enerkem has the most diverse patent portfolio in microscale biofuel reactors for the oil & gas industry. In August 2023, it collaborated with oilfield services company Technip Energies, for further advancing its technology portfolio for producing biofuels and circular chemical products from non-recyclable waste materials.

By means of geographic reach, Cortus held the top position, followed by Sundrop Fuels and Mitsubishi. Cortus is a renewable technology company focused on converting waste into renewable fuel.

Microscale biofuel reactors allow scaling down the size of a biofuel plant depending on the target location. The technology further enhances the granularity of the enzymatic reaction, which permits for higher efficiency of enzymes used and thus helps reduce overall operating costs of the project. READ MORE