The Fuel for Thought Podcast is the world’s first podcast about renewable fuels. Sylvain Verdier and Mikala Grubb from Topsoe, look into some of the most pressing topics about renewable fuels, covering the whole value chain of renewable fuel production, including feedstock supply, conversion technology, legislation, sustainable aviation fuel and much more. Together with a series of key industry players, experts, and influencers they discuss some of the challenges facing the industry, so you ...
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Propelling Progress: The new wave of ship engines in the seas of change
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1:01:11Let’s continue our exploration of the maritime industry’s journey toward decarbonization. In this episode, we’ll investigate how innovative engine technologies can clear the waters for sustainable shipping. We welcome two experts from MAN Energy Solutions: Agustina Ramirez, a Process Engineer specializing in Energy Solutions and Shipping Decarboniz…
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A guide to shipping: the players and the path to transition
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52:38The maritime sector has set sail to embark on its energy transition. But who are the stakeholders involved and how will they navigate the waters ahead? If you’re curious to learn those details (and the complexities that comes with it), then this episode is worth your ear time. Get onboard as we set out to demystify the world of shipping through a b…
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Gasification 4.0: Tried, tested, ready to scale renewable fuels production
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46:59
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46:59For more than a century, gasification technology has been used to convert coal into fuel. However, the technology is now pivoting towards the production of renewable fuels, converting renewable feedstocks like solid waste and biomass into pure decarbonization potential. But what should refiners consider before diving head-first into a gasification …
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Which technologies are shaping Southeast Asia's energy makeover?
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53:39Southeast Asia’s 700 million people contribute to 4% of global energy usage. Today, a large part of this energy comes from coal, but the region is making significant strides towards renewable energy sources and increasing its renewable fuels production. In this episode, we explore what’s needed to scale up the deployment of new technologies for Sou…
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From field to fuel: exploring the role of intermediate crops in renewable fuels
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58:12Intermediate crops are worth our attention! With their recognition as a sustainable feedstock for renewable fuels by the EU’s Annex 9 in RED II, they have the potential to mitigate some of our feedstock supply issues. This episode is dedicated to a deep dive into their technical details. Sylvain and Mikala are joined by Saipol, an oilseeds processi…
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Renewable fuels 2024: A year of progress and promise
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58:34What has happened in the past year within the world of renewable fuels? If you’re looking for the ultimate update on that, this episode is a must-listen! Topsoe’s own Product Line Directors, Milica Folic and Sandra Winter-Madsen, join Mikala and Sylvain to take the temperature on the 2024 realities of renewable fuels and the energy transition in ge…
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SAF Special #3 of 3: Fast-tracking SAF! Your complete guide to co-processing
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46:15Allow us to introduce the fastest pathway to begin your sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production: co-processing. Co-processing renewable and fossil feedstock in your existing unit, enables you to kickstart SAF production without major revamps or large investments. Our own experience with co-processing dates back to 2004, so for this SAF Special w…
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SAF Special #2 of 3: Sky-high ambitions: Investing in the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
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44:33For the first time ever, we dedicate an entire SAF Special to exploring the financial aspects of getting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects off the ground. What are the challenges and opportunities in financing SAF projects? And what are the best strategies for reaching final investment decision (FID)? Sylvain and Mikala delve into these ques…
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SAF Special #1 of 3 From combustion to contrails: Unveiling jet fuel mysteries
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56:49
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56:49Get ready for a much-needed deep dive into the science and chemistry of jet fuels to understand their impact! Since airplanes contribute to global warming through emissions of CO2 and soot particles from their jet fuel combustion, our understanding of jet fuel is crucial for our efforts to decarbonize aviation. Sylvain is joined by Patrick LeClercq…
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Back to science: why analytical chemistry is the hero of your renewable fuels production
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53:11Decarbonization is driving us towards feedstocks that are completely different from the fossil feedstocks, we’ve spent decades studying. To fully understand the complexity of renewable feedstocks, and optimize their use in renewable fuels production, we must turn to analytical chemistry. In this episode, we uncover the challenges and techniques for…
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Latin America's role in shaping the global renewable fuels market
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40:51When it comes to the production of renewable fuels, Latin America is a region filled with potential. With an abundance of easily accessible renewable resources like wind, sun, and biomass waste, and hosting well-advanced refineries and cost-competitive production opportunities, Latin America has the potential to become a key contributor to the glob…
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Your one-stop guide to catalysts crucial role in renewables
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54:20Step into the fascinating world of catalysts with us! Far from being mere commodities or utilities, catalysts are highly technological tools that are pivotal for renewable fuels production. In this episode, Sylvain dives deep into the role of catalysts in renewables with the help from no less than three Topsoe experts: Marie Grill, Principal Scient…
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New perspectives on the feedstocks of the future
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52:05We'll be peering into our crystal ball to explore which feedstocks will be used to produce renewable fuels in the future. Joined by Alastair Blanchard, Director for SAF at the ICF Consultancy, we’ll address a wide range of questions surrounding renewable feedstocks, including biogenic feedstocks and feedstocks for e-fuels. Are feedstocks truly the …
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Unveiling the true environmental impact of fuels
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48:32A life cycle assessment (LCA) is essential in comprehensively assessing the full environmental and social impacts of transportation fuels. This contrasts with many compliance models and regulations today which emphasize greenhouse gases alone – an approach which can result in ‘carbon tunnel vision’, where other crucial factors are neglected. Examin…
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Renewable fuels are still powering ahead. Are you on track?
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47:01
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47:01The landscape of renewable fuels has changed significantly since we wrapped up season four. But one thing remains the same: renewable fuels continue to power ahead. Mikala and Sylvain are joined by their Topsoe colleague, Milica Folic, for a discussion of the main developments across the industry within the past year. They will cover the currently …
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SAF Specials #3 of 3: Faster at-scale deployment of SAF - how?
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43:58Bill Gates established Breakthrough Energy in 2015 with the aim of funding technologies that can accelerate the clean energy transition and build a net-zero emissions future. Sylvain is joined by Mariano Berkenwald, Senior Associate at Breakthrough Energy, to discuss which efforts are needed to accelerate the deployment of at-scale production of Su…
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SAF Specials #2 of 3: Propelling the aviation industry towards 100% unblended SAF
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56:06Jet engine producer, GE Aerospace, is supporting net-zero emissions in aviation by exploring disruptive designs for future engines. At the same time, they consider SAF an important measure for decarbonizing today, and are pushing for a standard that allows an increase in blend levels from 50% to 100%. Jeff Shaknaitis, Customer Sustainability Leader…
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SAF Specials #1 of 3: What is Norwegian's mission to cut emissions by 45% by 2030?
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49:22With an ambitious goal of 45% emissions reduction by 2030, Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian) is working on a wide range of actions to become a more sustainable airline. Joined by Anders Fagernæs, Vice President of Sustainability at Norwegian, Sylvain Verdier takes a closer look at the various efforts the airline is working on to achieve this target…
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Can ammonia and methanol revolutionize the maritime world?
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52:29Maritime transport is the last to start its decarbonization transition. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and some key industry players are paving the way to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But which fuels could be used to do so, when both the road and aviation segments are also on the same journey? In this episode, Sylvain wil…
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Is new European legislation the seismic change the industry has been waiting for? Part II
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54:09
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54:09In the episode 4 we started the conversation about Fit for 55 – what are the goals and philosophy behind the legislation. In this episode, Sylvain continues this conversation with Adriana Guerenabarrena from Hydrogen Denmark and Ian Moore from Advisian. They will deep-dive into the future role of biofuels, eFuels and what these initiatives will mea…
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Is new European legislation the seismic change the industry has been waiting for? Part I
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48:29On July 14, 2021, the European Commission launched its largest regulatory initiative as part of the Green Deal: The Fit for 55 package. Some called it a seismic change. The proposed directives will basically affect the way Europe deal with energy, resources and transport until 2050. Since then, the RePowerEU program was also announced, and this add…
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Deep dive into the decarbonization strategy of a European refinery
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39:25European refineries are under pressure to decrease their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to produce high amounts of renewable fuels for transport and as feed for the PetChem sector. This is not a trivial challenge. But some refineries have implemented ambitious sustainability strategies in order to answer this call. In this episode, Sylvain talk…
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Will the new North American renewable legislation start another gold rush?
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1:10:18North America have recently seen the implementation of highly ambitious initiatives to support the production of renewable fuels, especially for the road and aviation sectors. The Inflation Reduction Act, the potential change of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) in California and the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations are game changers for renewable…
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Renewable fuels are powering ahead: are you ready to follow?
55:51
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55:51Welcome to season four of The Fuel for Thought Podcast. Since the last season the global renewable fuel industry has seen a surge in projects and Mikala and Sylvain are kicking off the new season with a discussion of what changes the industry has been through, and where it is headed. In this episode, they will share their thoughts on the current tr…
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SAF Specials #3 of 3: The SAF journey: from vision to production
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44:31Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (especially HEFA-SPK) is done at industrial scale but what does it take to do so? In this episode, Sylvain talks to Jonathan Wood from Neste about their strategy within SAF production and they address a lot of topics ranging from feedstock to logistics, sustainability, the current legislative initiatives acro…
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SAF Specials #2 of 3: True or false? Mythbusting Sustainable Aviation Fuel
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37:24Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been one of the top priorities of the aviation industry for a couple of years now - from airlines to fuel producers. But many myths are out there and may confuse some. In this episode, Sylvain talks to Oskar Meijerink from SkyNRG about eight popular myths about Sustainable Aviation Fuel – are they true or false? …
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SAF Specials #1 of 3: Are airports and airlines ready for Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
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52:43
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52:43Welcome to the first episode of the SAF Specials podcast series – part of our Flight Plan Green initiative to help decarbonize the aviation industry. Sylvain Verdier, Senior Business Strategy Manager at Topsoe will be talking to Lars W. Andersen from Scandinavian Airlines Systems and Marie Louise Hansen from Copenhagen Airport to understand what th…
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Is the shipping industry finally ready for the decarbonization race?
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46:03The shipping industry is entering the decarbonization journey at full speed. Green fuels, blue fuels, biofuels…. where will the world take them? Several initiatives are currently in place at International Maritime Organization (IMO) and EU level, but will those be sufficient to drive the change needed? These are some of the questions we discuss wit…
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What does it take to certify renewable fuels?
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55:25As renewable fuel demand will increase significantly in the coming decades and sustainability criteria are getting more stringent, certification is becoming an even more important factor for the whole renewable fuel supply chain. In this episode, Sylvain welcomes Elena Schmidt from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), and Sascha Wüsten…
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Renewable feedstocks for biofuel production - is there enough?
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50:00It’s no secret that when it comes to biofuel, feedstocks are worth their weight in gold - or more - and have the potential to become even more valuable as new legislation prioritizes increased renewable fuel production. In this episode, Sylvain discusses the feedstock market’s present conditions and future possibilities with Maryro Mendez from Vito…
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European renewable-fuel legislation – the revolution is here
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51:33With the onset of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive Recast – RED II - European lawmakers are setting ambitious targets for renewable-fuel production...but can ambition be matched by capability? In this episode, Mikala interviews our own Sylvain Verdier, and Ian Moore, Technical Director – Low Carbon at Advisian, to help foster a better understand…
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Sustainable aviation fuel - it is finally happening!
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56:14
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56:14The question of how to enable more sustainable air travel has long involved the challenge of SAF production. However, now everything seems to come together: feedstocks, technologies, and legislation. In this episode, Sylvain talks to Oskar Meijerink from SkyNRG, about the current state - and future - of sustainable aviation fuel, with insight from …
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Biofuel production has taken off. Are you ready?
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22:22Since the last season of The Fuel for Thought Podcast, the global renewable fuel industry has seen a surge in projects and interest in sustainable aviation fuel. Mikala and Sylvain are kicking off the new season with a discussion of what changes the industry has been through, and where it is headed. In this episode, they will share their thoughts o…
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New technological developments are serving up new possibilities with pyrolysis, but a number of challenges regarding upscaling, unit placing, and the transportation and storage of feedstock remain. Which refineries could benefit from implementing pyrolysis technology – and how? Once again, Topsoe’s Sylvain hosts David Dayton, a Senior Fellow at the…
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Is pyrolysis a game changer for advanced biofuels?
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46:41Pyrolysis is a mature technology, but it hasn’t always been viewed as a genuinely viable option in the world of renewables. Now, technological improvements are rapidly establishing pyrolysis as a key technology for upgrading low-value waste to high-value biofuels. Topsoe’s Sylvain hosts David Dayton, a senior fellow at the major American non-profit…
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Pretreatment, the critical insurance against contaminants
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53:00Pre-treatment of oils and fats is an established technology with several units up and running. But how does pre-treatment work? What does it take to implement the technology in a biofuels production, and how does the financial ballpark figures look? Topsoe’s Sylvain hosts Global Commercial Director at Crown Iron Works, Bill Morphew and Market Unit …
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Around the world, hydrogen is named as one of the keys to achieving ambitious goals in the green transition. However, hydrogen is not just hydrogen, it can be grey, blue, renewable and green. But concerns regarding profitability and effectiveness of the new technologies still linger. Sylvain from Topsoe hosts Product Line Director at Topsoe, Sandra…
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How ambitious business goals can lead the way towards decarbonization
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46:31Refineries setting out to transit their operations to renewables face several legislative, technical, and business-related barriers. At Preem, Sweden’s largest refinery, they have found their own ways of solving the puzzle. Topsoe’s Sylvain hosts Business Developer Åsa Håkansson and Development Engineer Eva Lind Grennfelt from Preem who provide you…
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Trends in advanced biofuels and hydrogen: where are we heading?
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24:07Sylvain and Mikala, your host and co-host from Topsoe, are back with season two of The Fuel for Thought Podcast. They discuss what is happening in the world of renewables, including The European Green Deal and new legislation in North America which have set up significant new standards for refinery emissions. All the while, new feedstocks are emerg…
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Emerging technologies in the refining industry
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44:25One way to future-proof your refinery against legislative demands is to expand your capabilities, so your plant can process any type of feedstock to produce on-spec transport fuel. But how mature is the technology for processing alternatives to fossil feedstocks? And, more pressing still, can it turn a profit? Topsoe’s Sylvain talks with Professor …
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The impact of emissions reduction legislation and standards on North American refineries, big and small
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40:24The legislation in the US aimed at reducing emissions and pollution from fuel production, differs from state to state. And in Canada, it’s different again. How can refineries navigate this complexity, stay within the bounds of the rules and still turn a profit? Topsoe’s Sylvain talks with Don O’Connor, owner of S&T Squared Consultants about standar…
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How the refinery industry is adjusting to the world’s fast-changing transportation infrastructure
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30:49In this episode of The Fuel for Thought Podcast, Topsoe’s Sylvain talks with the CEO of Future Fuel Strategies Tammy Klein about renewable technologies and the changing transport infrastructure. She believes that, as the world’s corporations and governments look to reduce carbon emissions, policy is both the cornerstone and the main driver of chang…
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How to make a business out of sustainable aviation fuel
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36:18The climate debate is changing our travel behavior, making more and more people choosing to travel by train to their summer holiday destinations. Topsoe’s Sylvain talks with the CEO and cofounder of SkyNRG Maarten van Dijk about the business case for renewable jet fuel. Please note that the ‘Board Now’ program mentioned in the podcast has now been …
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Perspective on market drivers for transport fuels
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34:58Due to legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions, the demand for fuel processed from renewables is growing significantly. But, can the world’s refineries meet growing demand? And is the current supply of renewable feedstocks reliable or large enough? Topsoe’s Sylvain talks with Tammy Klein, CEO and founder of Future Fuel Strategies, about the …
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Processing renewable feedstocks is complex. The range of feedstocks is extremely wide. And each feedstock can be processed in different ways. So, as you can imagine, unit design, and selecting and loading the right catalysts, is crucial. In the first episode of The Fuel for Thought Podcast, Sylvain and Mikala discuss the issues driving the changes …
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