Maersk’s investment will be used to further develop and commercialise Vertoro’s patented liquid lignin technology, and it will enable Vertoro to build a demo plant, which will become operational in 2022. The output of this plant will be used to develop marine fuels in partnership with Maersk as well as other applications for the materials and chemicals markets.

The 14th annual event of CleanEquity Monaco concluded on 23rd July with the award ceremony attended by His Excellency, Monsieur Bernard Fautrier. For the second year running, CleanEquity was streamed live on EarthxTV, attracting over 1,000 live viewers. 

We are deeply grateful to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II Monaco for His continued support throughout this year. Thank you also to our partners and sponsors the Fondation Prince Albert II, Cision, Covington & Burling, Cranfield University, EarthX, MIT Solve, the Monaco Economic Board and Taronis Fuel for your continued support. Thank you Claire McCluskey for your magical work, creating the 2021 Awards.

The conference showcased 17 of the best in class emerging sustainable technology innovation companies. The three recipients of the CleanEquity Awards for Excellence were: Conamix (US), Vertoro (NL) and Voltaware (UK).

An independent panel of industry expert judges selected Vertoro, represented by CFO Timothy Boon von Ochssée and CEO Michael Boot, to receive the Award for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Development for her work on sustainable alternatives to fossil oil products. Special thanks to Hanna Svenhag, Conor Barrett and Ilona Borisovaite for taking excellent care of us during the event.

Congratulations, also, to the runner ups: IPG (UK), Agerpoint (US) and Purify Fuel (US).

 The Award, made by artist Claire McCluskey:

The European Commission has labeled the use of wood in power plants as sustainable. But we can do better. By extracting the liquid lignin, the energy yield is much higher and it is of higher value to the petrochemical industry.

Want to know why?

[Article in Dutch]

On 1 May 2020 the IDEALFUEL project was launched. An EU-funded research and innovation action, IDEAFUEL aims to develop new production methods for sustainable marine fuels to replace heavy fuel oils (HFOs) in shipping.

Sailing towards the goal of developing an efficient and low-cost chemical pathway to convert woody residual and waste materials such as sawdust and wood chips into a Biogenic Heavy Fuel Oil (Bio-HFO) with ultra-low sulphur levels that can be used as a drop-in fuel in the existing maritime fleet.

Ships are crucial for the transportation of goods around the world. However, the use of heavy fuel oils (HFOs) contributes to global warming due to the fossil origin of these fuels and although cleaner fuels are available, many companies opt for HFOs due to their low costs. However, HFOs are banned in the national waters of many countries. In addition, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is seeking to ban their use in Arctic waters.

Due to environmental concerns and national as well as international regulations associated with fossil-based HFOs, there is a considerable need for low-cost cleaner and renewable alternatives for the maritime industry.

Read more at idealfuel.eu