An ambitious project to produce renewable diesel in South Africa was announced last month at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town. In it, major companies like Anglo American and De Beers committed to working together on renewable diesel in South Africa, reports BusinessTech.
RENEWABLE DIESEL IN SOUTH AFRICA
With the retail price well above R22 per litre, more affordable renewable diesel in South Africa cannot come fast enough. The project is a joint development agreement that aims to use nicotine-free tobacco – namely Solaris and Moringa – to produce the sustainable fuel. Better still, unused mining land and previously unproductive areas will be repurposed for this sustainable crop.
It works with seed oil being extracted and processed into vegetable oil. Then, through hydrogenation and a refining process, it is transformed into a renewable diesel in South Africa. Collaborators behind the project call it a milestone in sustainable, low-carbon fuels. Better still, one of the key benefits will be its compatibility with existing diesel engines, making it a ‘drop-in’ fuel. The fuel also meets the same quality standards as regular diesel and produces less pollution.
ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Therefore, this renewable diesel in South Africa mirrors the chemical properties of traditional diesel exactly. It can be used seamlessly in current engines without the need for modifications. The project’s current focus is on planting and fertilisation. However, increased capital expenditure is anticipated when the project scales-up to commercial levels.
Anglo American Project and Development Director, Alison Atkinson says renewable diesel in South Africa supports the company’s ambitious goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. She described the initiative as a critical component for the firm’s sustainability strategy. De Beers seconded the sentiment, saying it is an integral part of the company’s 2030 decarbonisation goals.
Still in its pilot phase, the two companies are optimistic it will be scaled-up within the next two years. Therefore, the immediate goal is to plant and gather data on crop yields under the challenging conditions of degraded mining land.
DO YOU THINK RENEWABLE DIESEL CAN WORK IN SA?
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