According to Eisath, a key pillar has been the conversion of the fleet to HVO, especially for the snow groomers, which are the largest fuel consumers in the fleet. The trigger was their own CO₂ footprint assessment and the ambition to reduce CO₂ impact even further in harmony with nature, without taking technical risks. Carezza’s experience shows: trouble-free fleet operation, including approvals from the snow groomer manufacturers/suppliers. Modern Euro 6 engines are already designed and/or certified to run on modern fuels such as HVO100. More on this can also be found in a report by the vehicle manufacturer Prinoth.

And it doesn’t stop at a single lever. Carezza sees itself as a progressive operator that reassesses its approach every year and continuously refines measures—from e-mobility and e-bikes for employees to improving internal processes. The next major focus is autonomous energy production, especially through photovoltaics. For interested visitors to the region, Carezza Dolomites offers regular tech tours through the ski area in winter, where the technical systems are explained in detail.

Learn more about sustainability at Carezza here.

Interview: Florian Eisath, Carezza Dolomites

Florian Eisath, Managing Director of Carezza Dolomites, in an interview with eFUEL-TODAY

eFUEL-TODAY: Hi! Please introduce yourselves—or yourself—briefly!

Eisath: My name is Florian Eisath. I’m the Managing Director of the lifts at Carezza Dolomites – as the name suggests, in the beautiful Dolomites near Bolzano. We operate a ski and hiking area below Rosengarten and Latemar.

What makes the Carezza ski area special, and what role does sustainability play for you?

Eisath: What makes Carezza special – besides the incredibly beautiful nature – is our commitment to sustainability, especially holistic sustainability. In a mountain region like ours, ecological sustainability is very important, but so are the social and economic dimensions. By operating the lifts, we offer a high-quality experience, but of course it has to be in harmony with nature.

What was the specific trigger for switching your fleet to HVO?

Eisath: The specific trigger for switching our fleet to HVO was that we were looking for a way to reduce our CO₂ impact even further. We’ve been preparing a CO₂ footprint for years and were looking for additional approaches. In a conversation with a lift operator in Germany, Henrik Vollpert, I got the idea. He told me they were trying it on a test basis, and we immediately gathered information and started implementing it.

You don’t just use HVO in passenger cars—you also use it in snow groomers. What has your technical experience with HVO been like?

Eisath: We use HVO primarily for our snow groomers – and not just for our operational vehicles. The major consumption comes from the “little guys” in the background (Editor’s note eFUEL-TODAY: the snow groomers). Our experience has been spotless: we have had no problems at all, and we even have approvals from the manufacturers, meaning the suppliers of the snow groomers. The new generations all have Euro 6 engines; these are already designed and/or certified for HVO. We have the approvals and, from that perspective, no concerns.

Do you have further plans for the ski area’s sustainable future?

Eisath: Carezza Dolomites generally stands for progressive action and continuous development—always staying on top of things. That means we naturally have further plans for advancing sustainable operations. Every year we reassess ourselves, looking for smaller and larger measures to reduce CO₂—for example by promoting e-mobility or e-bikes for our employees, or by revising menus for our canteen. One area we are now strongly moving toward is autonomous energy production: we are developing strongly in the direction of photovoltaics.

Can interested visitors also see your technology and your facilities in practice and exchange ideas with you?

Eisath: Carezza Dolomites doesn’t just act—we’re also happy to talk about it. That’s why we’re very pleased when there are interested guests. For that, we offer regular tech tours through the ski area. Every Tuesday in winter you can sign up and then go on a tour with the President of Outdoor Operations—my father. He is one of the co-founders of TechnoAlpin, the world market leader in snowmaking systems, and very technically savvy—and anyone interested has this opportunity every Tuesday.

eFUEL-TODAY: Thank you very much for the interview!

Refuelling a snow groomer with HVO

Link Carezza Dolomites: https://carezza.it/de/bergbahnen/nachhaltigkeit/ganzheitlicher-nachhaltigkeitsprozess

Link vehicle manufacturer: https://www.prinoth-snowgroomers.com/de/news/gruene-loesungen-hvo-im-test

Images: © eFUEL-TODAY

Der Beitrag Sustainability in the ski resort: Carezza relies on HVO in its vehicle fleet erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

At the heart of the project is the conversion of the Hydrocracker unit (HDC2) to Ecofining technology, alongside the construction of a pre-treatment unit for waste- and residue-based feedstocks. The EIB lists used cooking oil, animal fats, and residues from the agri-food industry among the feedstock base—exactly the kind of material streams that are essential for credible and traceable biofuel supply chains.

Production is planned to start from 2028. Sannazzaro is expected to produce HVO diesel and SAF (“biojet”) with a capacity of around 550,000 tonnes per year. The project leverages existing infrastructure and utilities on site and complements conventional fuel production with dedicated biofuel capacity.

Why this matters strategically for Italy: beyond climate impact, the EIB explicitly highlights energy security and the role of expanding European biofuel capacity in the context of REPowerEU. At the same time, the move fits into Eni/Enilive’s strategy to significantly increase biofuel capacity by 2030, including SAF capacity.

eFUEL-TODAY perspective: for the existing vehicle fleet, HVO is a direct lever (drop-in, where approved), while SAF is currently the central available decarbonisation pathway for aviation. The Sannazzaro conversion is therefore a strong, industrial-policy relevant signal: Italy is actively building value creation and supply security for renewable molecules.

Source: www.eib.org

Image: © EIB

Der Beitrag EIB and Eni finance a new biorefinery in Sannazzaro: €500 million for HVO and SAF from 2028 erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

The planned PtL plant (Power-to-Liquids) is to be built at ARAUCO’s industrial complex in Biobío (© INERATEC)

More specifically, the planned PtL plant is to be located at the ARAUCO industrial complex in Biobío. The concept combines biogenic CO₂ from ARAUCO’s processes with locally produced green hydrogen, which Abastible is expected to develop. Copec contributes expertise in fuel logistics and downstream applications — exactly the kind of combination that turns “technology and know-how” into a real, usable supply chain.

The key point: INERATEC has already delivered a basic engineering study and is positioning itself as the technology provider for the highly efficient PtL chain (syngas production + fuel synthesis). The project builds on groundwork from the Energy Challenge 2023 and further assessments in the H2Uppp context. This is a clear step toward industrialization rather than a pilot showcase, which is particularly important for e-fuels as a move “toward real-world viability.”

Source: https://www.ineratec.de/en/news/ineratec-advances-ptl-project-chile
Image: © INERATEC

Der Beitrag Chile scales PtL: INERATEC moves an e-fuel project in Biobío into the engineering phase erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

The LoI is also more than just a friendly handshake: both parties have explicitly committed to concluding a cooperation agreement in 2026. Among other things, this agreement is expected to regulate the start of detailed planning, a target timeline, and the allocation of planning costs. For projects of this scale, this is exactly the point at which an “intention” starts to become a solid pathway toward an investment decision – and one that gives industry the planning certainty it needs.

For the market, Oulu is therefore another example of how PtX plants can scale: the right location, suitable land, and pragmatic procedures & governance all help accelerate the ramp-up of e-fuels. According to its own statements, Oulu is already positioning itself as the most important hub for synthetic fuel projects in the Baltic Sea region – with six projects reportedly underway across the city. We are excited to see what comes next.

Quelle: ouka.fi

Bild: © Jukka Vähälummukka

Der Beitrag Oulu moves to the next level: LoI with HY2GEN for hydrogen & e-fuels at the Vihreäsaari industrial site erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

The product is based on HVO and HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) made from recycled oils and fats. It is intended to be usable in existing and new combustion plants above 1 MW (in accordance with the 44th BImSchV) without additional investments in burner technology or tank infrastructure—minor modifications may be required.

More information on the technical requirements and the product can be found at: https://hauswaerme.shell.de/geschaeftskunden/shell-renewable-heating-oil.html

Shell is offering the product immediately exclusively via Shell sales partners, supplied from the Shell depot in Essen. To distinguish it from “Shell Renewable Diesel,” the heating product is dyed red.

Lever for decarbonization and process heat—or also for private households?

This is a strong signal for drop-in renewable molecules beyond road transport: HVO/HEFA is being positioned as an immediately usable decarbonization lever for process heat, district heating, and industrial applications. At the same time, Shell makes it clear: for private heating systems < 1 MW, Germany currently still lacks the legal approval under the 1st BImSchV, even though the technology is fundamentally compatible. It remains to be seen when approval for private households will be granted. eFUEL-TODAY will report in any case.

(*) According to Shell: In this context, CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions include CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O. The CO₂e emissions over the product lifecycle are the emissions associated with feedstock production, feedstock transport, fuel production, transport and distribution of the fuel, as well as end use and/or combustion.

Image & source: © Shell.de

Der Beitrag Shell launches “Renewable Heating Oil” for commercial & industrial customers erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

The transposition of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) into national law is pushing demand for renewable fuels beyond previous expectations – and HVO is right at the forefront. Analysts expect HVO demand in 2026 to exceed indirect demand for blending into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). One key reason is that HVO can be used directly in existing diesel engines, enabling immediate CO₂ reductions. In addition, HVO offers significant technical advantages, as outlined on efuel-today.com/hvo.

Germany, along with the Netherlands, Italy and France, has already begun translating RED III targets into national legislation, providing the market with greater planning certainty. This not only strengthens demand but also creates an environment in which investments in HVO production, logistics and distribution can be implemented more quickly.

Against this backdrop, renewable diesel fuels are no longer on the sidelines of the energy transition. Instead, they are becoming a central element of Europe’s strategy to reduce emissions in the transport sector in a pragmatic and near-term manner.

Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights

Image: © eFUEL-TODAY

Der Beitrag HVO in focus: Germany and EU rules inject new momentum into renewable diesel erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

One point many underestimate: climate-friendly mobility is not an “either/or” choice, but about solutions that work quickly for the existing vehicle fleet and for commercial fleets. While the paper deliberately remains general and avoids explicitly naming e-fuels or HVO, the direction is clear: the combustion engine is not meant to disappear – it is meant to become cleaner.

And yes, e-mobility is an important part of the mix (including the expansion of charging infrastructure), but without coercive logic and without a “one-size-fits-all” approach. For us, this means it’s time for implementation-clear rules that allow renewable fuels to scale in practice, become widely available and affordable, and play a central role in climate protection.

Source: Mainzer Erklärung, Beschluss des Bundesvorstandes der CDU Deutschlands (link)
Berlin, 19. January 2026
Image: © CDU / Tim Hoffmann

Der Beitrag Mainz Declaration: CDU backs the internal combustion engine – and non-fossil fuels erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

HVO100 is produced from residual materials and can replace fossil diesel without technical modifications. It burns cleaner, enhances engine performance, and reduces new CO₂ emissions by up to 90%.

To the press release

Source: UTA Edenred

Der Beitrag UTA Edenred expands European HVO100 network to over 1,800 stations erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

e-SAF is produced from green hydrogen and recycled CO₂ and can reduce emissions by over 90%. The EU plans to increase the SAF share to 70% by 2050, with 35% specifically for e-SAF.

“We want to make SAF accessible and affordable to decarbonize aviation,” said Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO of Norsk e-Fuel. Boeing contributes its expertise to advance SAF commercialization, particularly in the Nordic countries.

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Source &amp; Image © Boeing<span class=”Apple-converted-space”> </span>

<a href=”https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131517″>To the press release</a>

Der Beitrag Boeing and Norsk e-Fuel promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.

By 2027, Bayer plans to launch the hybrid winter rapeseed variety TruFlex in the USA. This variety offers higher yields, improves soil health, and captures CO₂ in the soil. It also provides new income opportunities for farmers.

“Biofuels are essential in combating climate change, especially in sectors such as aviation and shipping, where electrification is less feasible,” explains Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer Crop Science.

Neste also sees great potential: “Winter rapeseed provides ecological benefits and reduces the use of fossil resources through renewable alternatives,” emphasizes Artturi Mikkola, Senior Vice President at Neste. Bayer and Neste expect to finalize the agreement by the end of 2025.

Source: Bayer

Image © unsplash / Nan Zhou

To the article

Der Beitrag Bayer and Neste cooperate on biofuels from winter rapeseed erschien zuerst auf eFUEL-TODAY.