Biodiesel and sustainability: why integrate it into your green strategy

Biodiesel is now one of the most effective solutions for reducing emissions in the transport sector and accelerating corporate decarbonisation plans. In a European context increasingly focused on the energy transition, integrating biofuels into a sustainability strategy makes it possible to rely on a cleaner alternative energy source that is immediately available and compatible with conventional diesel engines.

Biodiesel: what it is

Biodiesel is a biofuel produced through industrial processes that convert vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oils into a fuel compatible with most diesel engines.

When discussing biodiesel, it is worth noting that it is a renewable fuel that falls within the category of first- and second-generation biofuels, produced from sustainable feedstocks and often derived from waste materials.

The main advantages of biodiesel include:

Reduction of CO₂ emissions, particulate matter, and other pollutants.
Greater biodegradability compared to fossil diesel.
Increased energy independence thanks to local production and traceable supply chains.

In professional contexts, especially logistics and heavy transport, the use of biodiesel enables emission reductions without the need to replace vehicles or modify existing infrastructure.

FAME and HVO: the main types of biodiesel on the market

Two main types of biodiesel are available on the European and Italian markets: FAME and HVO. Both are classified as biofuels, but they differ significantly in their characteristics.

FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester)

This is traditional biodiesel, obtained through the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats—that is, the chemical process that breaks down triglyceride molecules, which are typical of vegetable oils.

Its main characteristics include:

Good energy yield.
Generally lower cost compared to HVO.
Variable stability at low temperatures.

HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)

HVO is produced through the hydrogenation of vegetable oils or fats.

Key strengths of HVO include:

Excellent performance at low temperatures.
High stability over time.
The possibility of 100% use without limitations (drop-in fuel).

Thanks to these properties, HVO is now considered the premium biofuel for industrial, logistics, and automotive applications.

Decarbonisation strategies and European regulations

The European Union has established an increasingly stringent regulatory framework to guide Member States towards climate neutrality by 2050. Key regulations—including the RED II Directive, transport emission standards, and sustainability and traceability criteria for raw materials—encourage the adoption of biofuels such as biodiesel, which is regarded as a key element in European emission-reduction plans.

Within this scenario, companies are required to develop a credible, structured, and measurable decarbonisation strategy. Understanding what decarbonisation is and its operational meaning involves planning gradual actions to reduce the carbon footprint through concrete measures.

Biodiesel, in both its FAME and HVO variants, represents an immediately available solution for reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles without modifying fleets or existing infrastructure. Integrating it into a decarbonisation plan makes it possible to:

Cut CO₂ emissions in the short term.
Improve the company’s ESG positioning.
Align with European regulations on renewable fuels and climate targets.

Alongside biofuels, an effective carbon-free strategy may also include the adoption of renewable energy sources, optimisation of energy consumption, and continuous emissions monitoring through certified systems. In this way, EU regulations and decarbonisation practices work together to drive the transition towards a more sustainable, low-emission economy.

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