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The Naval Industry Is Also Moving Towards Decarbonization, and An Example of This Is The Renewable Fuel From Wood Bark Developed By The Startup Vertoro
On the path to decarbonization, biofuels play an important role, and one of them stands out in particular. Liquid lignin technology may be the answer for a sustainable renewable fuel within the naval industry. A company in the Netherlands patented a unique thermochemical process, through which forestry and agricultural waste is transformed into what they called “green gold.” The Startup Vertoro developed a stable and easy-to-process lignin fuel, maintaining its natural properties and changing the landscape of the naval industry.
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Understanding The Secret Behind The Renewable Fuel Of The Naval Industry
According to the chemical startup supported by a university – lignin (ligno-cellulosic biomass) is not only the most abundant and economical natural resource in the world but is also highly renewable.
Although biomass contains lignin in a high percentage (up to 25%), most of it is not used because it is considered difficult to process. Vertoro developed a simple process in which solid lignin is heated for 30 minutes in any organic solvent available on the market, without the need for additional catalysts.
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Portonave is investing R$ 2 billion to modernize the Port of Navegantes and accommodate ships up to 400 meters, but the project depends on the federal government deepening the channel from 14 to 17 meters, a concession that is at the TCU.
The result is a product that can be transformed into various high-performance fuels and materials, as the natural properties of lignin are preserved through this innovative and gentle method.
Maersk Partners With Startup Vertoro and Will Be The First Company To Use The Renewable Fuel
Maersk, one of the largest logistics companies, partnered with Vertoro to build a demonstration plant. The resulting product will be used to obtain fuels for the naval industry for Maersk.
The new partnership with Vertoro is the third recent investment by the company in the renewable fuels market. In August, Maersk announced a new fleet of carbon-neutral ships, of 16,000 TEU, which are set to enter service and replace 150,000 TEU of end-of-life ships, starting in the first quarter of 2024.
“This order proves that carbon-neutral solutions are available today across all segments of container ships and that Maersk is committed to the growing number of our customers who are seeking to decarbonize their supply chains,” said AP Moller – head of Maersk, Soren Skou.
About The Company
Founded in 2017 by CEO Michael Boot and CTO Panos Kouris, Vertoro is a Dutch spin-off from a partnership between Brightlands Chemelot Campus, DSM, Chemelot InSciTe, University of Maastricht, and Eindhoven University of Technology.
Their product aims to provide a biologically based alternative to fossil fuels for use as a platform for fuels, materials, and chemicals within the naval industry. “Our goal is to offer competitive and sustainable products for customers who care about costs and the environment worldwide.”
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