SCA will use synthetic diesel in two tractor-trailers in Sweden during a one-year trial period, starting this autumn. In the future the ambition is to use diesel made of bio fuel.
Paradiesel is another name for synthetic diesel.
With the present synthetic diesel the carbon dioxide emissions are cut by about five percent compared with conventional diesel. Synthetic diesel is produced from natural gas but processes are under development to make it possible to produce diesel based on biomass.
“The exhaust emissions from synthetic diesel are cleaner than conventional diesel,” says Kurt-Arne Öh, development manager at Virke Syd.
“The fuel contains less hydrocarbons, nitro oxides and particles, and the most toxic substances decrease the most. This is of great value considering that the vehicles run in or near built-up areas.”
The truly great environmental benefit will naturally materialise if and when it is possible to produce synthetic diesel from biomass. This advance would also drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions from road transports.
“Synthetic diesel has the highest environment classification and is favoured by a slight tax discount,” says Bengt Aldén at Framtidsbränslen the company that supplies the fuel for the test trucks. We’re now working intensively to identify a renewable alternative to natural gas as the raw material.”
During the trial period there will be careful monitoring of fuel consumption, costs and other factors that can influence a decision to introduce more extensive use of synthetic diesel in the future.