Increasing the depth and width of feedstocks in the biofuels blend was needed if Europe was serious about lowering reliance on fossil fuels, members of a panel discussing the matter said Wednesday at Platts annual biofuels seminar in Geneva.
"Do we really want to replace fossil fuels or not?" Stephan Leisner, Managing Director of Bio Oil Group and CEO of Eco FUELS said, adding that if de-fossilisation was a serious goal, then all feedstocks should be considered in the production of biofuels.
"We need all the feedstocks we can get, so long as it is sustainable, and use as much waste as possible. Waste will always be a good alternative," Leisner said.
Offering a slightly more conservative view, Gabriele Walli who concentrates on feedstock and biofuel supply at OMV Refining & Marketing, said the reality of each feedstock in terms of its commercial viability needed to be considered in terms of reaching the EU's 2020 10% renewable energy target.
Patrick Pitkanen, Head of Business Development at St1 Biofuels, said: "If we want to replace fossil fuels, there is no silver bullet", adding the industry needed to consider the widest spectrum of feedstocks possible.
