Formula 1 and biofuels, an unusual and winning alliance from 2022

What do biofuels have to do with racing cars of over 200 mph and 1000 hp?
The use of fuels from renewable sources is not only compatible with the needs of the racing world, but can even improve the performance of car engines on the track.

From 2022 it will be mandatory to use biofuels to power the engines of cars competing in Formula 1. The news may surprise those who do not fully understand the potential of biofuels. Apart from the bioethanol that will be used added to traditional fuel – up to 10% – for F1, biofuels such as biodiesel indeed have very interesting characteristics in terms of performance. It is no coincidence that world leaders in traditional fuel production such as Shell and Petronas have already carried out their research and are ready to fully exploit the application possibilities of biofuels.

Biodiesel vs diesel
The competition, which has its most visible expression in Formula 1, is also taking place at different levels. And biodiesel is fully involved in this race.

Tests affirm that even the performance of biodiesel is now basically comparable to that of diesel.
Biodiesel, or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME, Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), is obtained from various sources, such as vegetable oils, animal fats and low-grade feedstocks.

From an environmental point of view, biodiesel, compared to normal diesel, has an optimal reduction of carbon footprint.

Since 2015 EU decided to support the second-generation Biodiesel (IIG Biodiesel), introducing a cap of 7% for first generation biodiesel until 2020 and a support for second generation biodiesel (non-crop based).

EU new directive RED II (legislative proposal), for the period 2021-2030 requires:
• Reduction of First-generation biofuels progressively down to 3,8%;
• Mandatory use of non-food based biofuels progressively up to 6,8%;

CMBernardini has developed in the years very competitive technologies, able to obtain IIG Biodiesel, starting from no food feedstocks like UCO, POME, animal fats, recovered oil from bleaching earths, acid oil from soapstock splitting, etc with an optimal yield for those feedstocks.

Our Company commitment to R&D allows us to offer the smartest and technologically most advanced solutions to our Clients: this will enable to optimise existing plants performances and to develop new solutions to ensure the best profitability, by keeping a high sustainability of the entire process.

CMBernardini tailor-made solutions boast the highest level of production flexibility alongside the great sustainability of the plant, even starting from multi-feedstocks to obtain IIG Biodiesel, adapting to the different conditions and challenges in the market.

Ask us! We’ll be glad to tell you more!