Todays Latest Updates: 24 July 2026

Biofuels: Sweden. VAROPreem  announced the acquisition of a 100% interest in Sunpine, the world’s largest Raw Tall Oil bio-refinery, producing a high-quality renewable feedstock used to manufacture advanced biofuels including Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The renamed company, VAROPreem Sunpine, will build on its world-leading technology and manufacturing capability integrated with VAROPreem’s renewable fuels business across Europe. Operating from its world-scale bio-refinery in Piteå, Sweden, VAROPreem Sunpine processes Raw Tall Oil – a renewable by-product of the pulp and paper industry – using proprietary technology. VAROPreem Sunpine’s main product is then further refined into renewable fuels such as HVO and SAF in VAROPreem manufacturing facilities. Link 24/07/2026.

Biomaterials: Germany. Materials manufacturer Covestro and BYD, one of the world’s leading new energy vehicle producers, announced the signing of a MoU to establish a long-term strategic partnership. The agreement focuses on developing and applying advanced material solutions across BYD’s growing portfolio of industries, including automotive, energy storage, and next-generation technologies. Link 24/07/2026.

Feedstock: Australia. Rio Tinto signed a five-year offtake agreement with Australian bioenergy company SuperChar Limited (SCL) for the supply of locally produced bio pellets for use at its alumina refineries in Gladstone, with deliveries targeted to commence in 2028. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto plans to undertake a range of operational demonstrations and assessments of bio pellet blends – ranging from 5 to 50 per cent bio pellets – as a supplement to coal used in boilers at its Gladstone alumina refineries. The agreement follows Rio Tinto operational trials and a feasibility study and represents the next stage in assessing the use of bio pellets as one of several potential solutions the company is exploring to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in alumina refining. Link 24/07/2026.

Policy: France. The French government selected three electrolytic hydrogen projects for €778m ($887m) in subsidies. Unlike other EU auctions, the round offers support to projects using both nuclear and renewable power and is aimed at supplying hydrogen to industrial use cases where “no economically viable” electrification pathway exists. It comes after the country cut its overall hydrogen production target from 6.5GW to 4.5GW by 2030, but recommitted to offering €4bn ($4.56bn) to incentivise production. Link 24/07/2026.