How Sustainable is HVO100?

20. May 2025

4 minutes read

The transition to renewable energy is one of the most pressing challenges for the transport sector. As businesses face growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and improve supply chain sustainability, renewable fuels like HVO100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) are a practical and immediate solution.
But how sustainable is HVO100, and what does its supply chain look like?

What is HVO100?

HVO100 is a renewable diesel made from 100% renewable feedstocks such as:
• Waste and residues (e.g., used cooking oil, animal fats)
• Vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed)
• By-products from agriculture and food production

For a complete breakdown of what HVO100 is, how it's made, and how it compares to fossil diesel and biodiesel, see our complete guide to HVO100.

The production process involves hydrotreatment — a refining process where feedstocks are treated with hydrogen under high pressure to remove oxygen and impurities. The result is a high-quality paraffinic fuel that is chemically identical to fossil diesel but reduces well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, based on RED III lifecycle data.

The HVO100 Supply Chain

1. Raw Material Sourcing

HVO100’s overall footprint depends largely on the sourcing of raw materials. Waste- and residue-based feedstocks minimise competition with food production and land-use change, as they make use of by-products that would otherwise go to waste. Non-food vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil, also carry a lower footprint when sourced responsibly from certified farms.

Sustainability Factors:

Waste-based feedstocks have a lower carbon footprint than virgin vegetable oils, since they use existing by-products rather than dedicated cropland.
Certified vegetable oils minimise land-use change and deforestation risks.
Traceability and certification (e.g., ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) are essential for verifying sustainability.

2. Processing and Production

The production of HVO100 involves a chemical process called hydrotreatment, where feedstocks are treated with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures. This process creates a stable, high-quality fuel that meets strict European fuel standards (EN 15940).

Environmental Impact:

Hydrotreatment is energy-intensive, but HVO100's overall lifecycle carbon footprint remains up to 90% lower than fossil diesel, based on RED III data.
Producers are increasingly using renewable electricity and improving process efficiency to further reduce emissions.
By-products from production (e.g., propane) are often repurposed for energy generation, improving overall resource efficiency.

3. Distribution and Logistics

HVO100 benefits from existing diesel infrastructure, making it easy to distribute and store. It can be transported through existing fuel pipelines and delivered using traditional tanker trucks. It is fully compatible with standard diesel storage facilities and fuelling stations. There is no need for specialised handling or safety precautions, as HVO100 behaves just like conventional diesel.

Sustainability Factors:

Distribution uses the same pipeline and tanker-truck infrastructure as conventional diesel, requiring no dedicated logistics network.

4. Consumption and Performance

HVO100 is a drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used directly in diesel engines without any modifications. Its performance characteristics are often superior to those of fossil diesel. It has a higher cetane number, which leads to better combustion and improved engine efficiency. HVO100 also produces lower particulate emissions, resulting in cleaner burning that helps reduce air pollution and engine wear. Additionally, it performs well in cold weather thanks to its paraffinic nature.

Carbon Savings:

Lifecycle CO₂ reduction of up to 90% compared to fossil diesel.
Reduced NOₓ and particulate emissions improve urban air quality.
Vehicles running on HVO100 comply with stringent Euro 6 emission standards.

Regulation and Certification

HVO100 is regulated under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) in the EU, which sets sustainability criteria for biofuels:

Minimum greenhouse gas reduction of 65% compared to fossil fuels.
Traceability and certification requirements (e.g., ISCC).
Preference for waste and residue-based feedstocks.

Producers and suppliers of HVO100 are increasingly seeking third-party certification to provide transparency and reassure customers about the sustainability of their products.