TotalEnergies has signed a landmark agreement with Quatra to secure steady supply of feedstock for its biofuel production business.
Quatra, Europe’s leading specialist in the collection and recycling of grease, will supply the French company feedstock over a period of 15 years, starting next year.
The deal, which was announced during the Paris Air Show, will see Quatra providing 60,000 t/yr of European used cooking oil to TotalEnergies.
Quatra will source the grease directly from restaurants, chains and the food industry across France and other European countries.
The company will process the oil before transporting it to TotalEnergies’ biorefineries for onward conversion into low-carbon road fuels and SAF.
The agreement aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy to produce both biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at scale.
“Developing biofuels is a core part of our strategy to help customers lower the carbon intensity of the energy they use, supporting our net zero ambition in partnership with society,” said Valérie Goff, Senior Vice President for Renewable Fuels & Chemicals at TotalEnergies.
TotalEnergies recent biofuel development
TotalEnergies is currently co-developing a 250,000 t/yr SAF facility in northwest England.
The plant is expected to supply 53.5% of the UK’s projected SAF demand by 2035.
The firm has also converted two of its refineries in France into biorefineries to meet rising demand for cleaner fuels.
The La Mède site in southern France can produce up to 500,000 t/yr of biofuel.
The plant, operational since 2019, remains France’s sole producer of HVO biodiesel. TotalEnergies plans to expand its output this year to include SAF. .
At the same time, the Grandpuits site near Paris is being transformed into a zero-crude biorefinery dedicated to producing 230,000 t/yr of SAF.
Europe and North America continue to lead the growth of the global SAF market.
Globally, SAF production is projected to double this year, reaching 2 million tonnes, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA says SAF remains far more expensive than traditional jet fuel, and its uptake is progressing at a disappointingly slow pace.
Energy companies like TotalEnergies and Eni are leading production in Europe.