Why Total can only import palm oil at La Mède until 2030
Aurélie Barbaux the 15 / 06 / 2018 New Factory
In trilogue, Europe has agreed on the new energy package. It sets a target of 14% renewable energies in 2030 transport, but limiting to 7% first-generation agrofuels, with the ban on palm oils from 2030. Thanks to France, according to Nicolas Hulot.
It is finally Europe that will clear the palm oil scandal that threatened Total's new biorefinery in La Mède (Bouches-du-Rhône). The three European bodies - the Parliament, the Council and the Commission - met in trilogue to agree on the new energy package at the dawn of 14 June. It sets as objective 32% of renewable energies in consumption in 2030.
It also asks the Member States to reach 14% of renewable energies in 2030 transport, by capping first generation agrofuels at 7%. France, which is already at 8,5%, will therefore have to boost alternatives. On the other hand, prioritizing economic stakes for biodiversity, the trilogue has pushed the ban on palm oil in agrofuels to 2030, while the Parliament voted last January in favor of an energy import ban from 2021.
Nicolas Hulot welcomes
Nicolas Hulot welcomed it. In a tweet, the French Minister of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition brings credit to France this decision.
For those who had - "no cheer up" - validated the authorization given to Total to import up to 450 tonnes of palm oil into its new refinery in La Mède at the beginning of June - thus respecting a commitment made by Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of the previous government - the European agreement limits the scope of the decision. While he had obtained from Total that it limit its palm oil imports to 000 tonnes per year, the latter now has more than ten years before it to establish the profitability of its biorefinery, which is to produce 300 tonnes. of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) biodiesel, per year.
The future of the biorefinery is not guaranteed
An agrofuel that can be produced from almost any type of oil, and add unlimited fossil diesel. But it is more expensive to produce than colza-based biodiesel. In France, diesel contains 7,7% biodiesel, including 7% rapeseed. Total was aiming with his HVO the remaining 0,7%. But Europe wants to limit to 7% first-generation agrofuels.
With bioethanol included in gasoline, France is already at 8,5%, according to IFP Energies Nouvelles. Even if it can produce its palm oil biodiesel at an acceptable cost for ten years, Total will still have to bend to sell it in France. The height would be that it is brought to export!
https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/p ... 30.N707424