Neste applies for patents for producing microbial oil from waste

Neste Oil has applied for patents to cover technology developed to produce microbial oil from waste and residues with the help of various yeasts and molds for use as a feedstock for its NExBTL renewable diesel. Research work, started with the Alto University School of Science and Technology at the end of 2007, has resolved the process technology-related challenges involved. Microbial oil produced in this way has already been successfully refined into NExBTL renewable diesel.  Neste Oil’s Biotechnology Manager Markku Patajoki said, “Our work has shown that waste-based microbial oil represents an excellent opportunity, and we believe it’s a very promising future raw material.” Following the success of the lab work, the emphasis will now shift to evaluating microbial oil’s potential for pilot-scale production. Commercial production is likely to be possible by 2015 at the earliest. (September 22, 2010)