Keep Developing: New BDI Leadership Aptly Suited for Technology Advances

For more than a quarter century, Austria-based BDI-BioEnergy International has been defining and redefining biodiesel process technology and, as a result, the industry and markets it serves.

From the company’s early and progressive focus on converting waste feedstocks into high-quality biodiesel when others were squarely engrossed in crop oils, to its latest chemical process that upcycles waste plastics into pyrolysis oil, BDI and its tenured staff have withstood the test of time by continuing to develop.

Now, as BDI approaches its third decade of operation—and at a time when advancements in decarbonization technologies are perhaps at their most critical juncture—the company is under new leadership.

Manfred Baumgartner, who has been with BDI since its inception, has recently been appointed to serve as the firm’s co-chief executive, sharing the role with Kurt Ternegg. With Baumgartner’s deep technical expertise as a longtime process engineer and technical director, there are likely few candidates more qualified to lead BDI into this new era of decarbonization discovery.

In an exclusive interview, Ron Kotrba, the editor and publisher of Biobased Diesel Daily®, asks Baumgartner about his new role, what his leadership qualities will bring to the company, and how he sees the changing industries and markets BDI serves.

Moreover, we decided in the mid-1990s already to use waste oils as main feedstocks. This has provided many challenges, which we have always loved to solve. The focus on renewable energy sources and sustainability has propelled biofuels into the mainstream, leading to increased investments and technological advancements. BDI-BioEnergy International’s contributions in developing innovative biofuel production technologies have played a role in expanding the sector’s capacity and improving efficiency.

Additionally, growing environmental concerns and government regulations have fostered greater demand for biofuels, resulting in a more diverse and competitive market landscape....and now we offer a broad portfolio of process-engineering solutions for the recycling and upcycling of various waste streams—biodiesel; advanced pretreatment for waste oils for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), or hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA); biogas from brewing residues; and the pyrolysis of low-grade plastic waste, to name just a few.

It is also worth mentioning that our GreenTech Solutions team provides process-development support, from conceptualization through the operation of plants for new technologies developed by our customers. We are now providing the expertise we have learned with biodiesel technology and many other BDI developments for new customers. In doing so, we support our customers along the entire value chain—from the initial plant inspection and feasibility studies to engineering and plant construction, with ongoing customer service....

New technologies for SAF or HEFA are entering the market, tapping used cooking oil (UCO) sources and others. With BDI technologies, our customers are able to convert feedstock of the lowest quality—with up to 100 percent free fatty acid (FFA) content—into biodiesel. This allows our customers to use raw materials that cannot be used for the production of SAF and HEFA due to excessive impurities.

In addition, the aspect of CO2 reduction is an important factor. Biodiesel produced from UCO has a CO2 saving potential of around 90 percent compared to diesel from fossil raw materials. The production of HEFA only comes to a saving potential of around 75 percent....

There is one particular feedstock, which is available in good quantities and its special properties require special processing. I am talking about acid oils from soapstock splitting from vegetable-oil refineries. This feedstock, even after pretreatment, has a high phosphorous content that cannot be removed economically. The high phosphorus content will remain between 100 and 300 parts per million (ppm), and this is contradictive to the goal of reducing it to the lowest possible levels for renewable diesel or SAF. Therefore, I would say it is the wrong feedstock for this task. Normal biodiesel plants can handle a maximum phosphorus content of 20 ppm, but our new RepCat technology can handle 200 ppm easily.

The same thing can be said about brown or black grease. These feedstocks can be very dirty, which results in the same question—is it worth using them for renewable diesel, or is it better to use them for biodiesel, which can handle these qualities much easier—with the right BDI technology.

Banning ICE engines, including heavy-duty engines, could pose several risks. First, it may limit the flexibility of transitioning to a low-carbon future, as different regions have varying infrastructure requirements and resource availabilities. Second, an exclusive emphasis on EVs could hinder the development and utilization of advanced biofuels, which can offer lower emissions and compatibility with existing infrastructure. Third, relying solely on electrification may lead to challenges in terms of grid capacity, battery production and resource sustainability. If one is reading studies about these topics, it sounds obvious that we cannot exchange all ICEs with electric drives.

A diversified approach that includes both EVs and advanced biofuels could offer a more comprehensive and sustainable solution. This would allow for flexibility, promoting competition, driving innovation and maximizing the potential for reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions across various sectors, including transportation. It is crucial for policymakers to consider a balanced and inclusive strategy that harnesses the strengths of both electrification and biofuels to address the challenges of climate change effectively.

Together with an Austrian partner—Next Generation Elements—we have developed a technology called SynCycle, which converts plastic waste into pyrolysis oil via a chemical process. This oil can then be reused for the production of new plastic products. We are currently commissioning our industrial-scale demonstration plant and will market this technology internationally. READ MORE