German train operator Deutsche Bahn has struck a deal to purchase 13,000 tons of renewable diesel from specialist producer Neste.
Deutsche Bahn said the contract was part of its drive to “significantly” expand its use of the sustainable fuel to power its locomotives this year. Renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from trains by up to 90 per cent.
The company said the order with Finland-based Neste would reduce emissions by around 46,000 tonnes compared with using traditional fossil diesel. The renewable diesel is produced from raw materials such as used cooking oil.
DB has already approved the use of this form of renewable diesel in 1,000 of its vehicles. Neste’s MY Renewable Diesel is a “drop in” fuel that can be used in existing engines with no need for modifications to be made. This is similar to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which Neste also supplies to airlines.
Peter Zonneveld, vice president, Europe and APAC, at Neste’s renewable road transportation unit, added: “With our renewables production capacity increasing to 5.5 million tons by the end of 2023 and further to 6.8 million tons by the end of 2026, we are well-equipped to help our customers around the world to make the switch to more sustainable solutions.”