Since the early 2000s, biofuels have been promoted as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on finite fossil fuel resources. There is indeed a catch, though. Production of ‘conventional’ biofuels—those derived from dedicated crops such as palm, sugar, or rapeseed—has led to significant ethical and environmental challenges. When large swathes of land and resources are used to grow biofuel crops, this competes with resources for food crops. The result? Food prices go up, exacerbating global hunger and poverty. This creates a moral dilemma: should we fuel our transport or feed the hungry? Meeting the growing demand for biomass often involves clearing forests, destroying vital ecosystems, and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in trees. Converting natural habitats, which contain thousands if not millions of different species, into monoculture plantations for biofuel crops depletes biodiversity, disrupts local water cycles, and degrades soil health.
In response to these issues, focus has shifted to ‘advanced’ biofuels, such as biodiesel, which are sourced from industrial and agricultural wastes and residues (‘2nd generation biofuels’) or novel feedstocks such as algae (‘3rd generation biofuels’). Pure biodiesel (‘B100’) can be mixed with hydrocarbons to form biodiesel blends, such as B24 or B30, containing 24% and 30% of biodiesel respectively, which are now commonly used in the marine sector. Our bioMSAR™ represents a new generation of ‘advanced’ biofuels. BioMSAR™ blends the hydrocarbon with glycerine, instead of biodiesel. The glycerine used is sourced from industrial waste streams and offers additional benefits. It is non-toxic, helps lubricate engines and it makes our bioMSAR™ 10% cheaper than the biofuel blends in common use today. By choosing bioMSAR™, customers are choosing a fuel that not only addresses the ethical and environmental concerns associated with conventional biofuels but also offers practical advantages in terms of cost, emissions and safety over other advanced biofuels.
Quadrise plc (LON:QED) is an energy technology provider whose solutions enable production of cheaper, cleaner, simpler and safer alternatives to fuel oil and biofuels, proven in real world applications. Quadrise technologies produce transition fuels called MSAR® and bioMSAR™, which allow clients in the shipping, utilities and industrial sectors to reduce carbon emissions whilst also saving costs.
