TotalEnergies says it is set to begin production of biofuels from used cooking oil in France.

This was as TotalEnergies and Quatra, the European market leader in the collection and recycling of used cooking oil, signed a 15-year agreement for the supply of 60,000 tonnes of European used cooking oil per year.

The deal, which would start in 2026, would see Quatra deliver used cooking oil to TotalEnergies’ biorefineries.

“This deal contributes to securing the feedstock to produce biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel,” TotalEnergies said in a statement.

Biofuels are fuels produced from organic matter (biomass) and offer a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. They can be derived from various sources, including plants, algae, and agricultural or forestry waste. Common examples include ethanol and biodiesel.

Under the terms of the agreement, Quatra would collect used cooking oil directly from restaurants, restaurant chains and industry in France and the rest of Europe.

The oil would then be delivered to Quatra sites for filtering before being shipped to TotalEnergies’ biorefineries to produce road biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel.

TotalEnergies announced that it had converted its refineries at La Mède in southern France and Grandpuits near Paris into biorefineries.

The biorefinery at La Mède, launched in 2019, has an annual production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of biofuel.

The statement read in part, “Through this site, TotalEnergies is the only producer of HVO biodiesel in France. This year, La Mède will also produce sustainable aviation fuel for airports in southern France.

“Grandpuits’ conversion into a zero-crude complex includes a biorefinery with an annual production capacity of 230,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel. Commissioning is planned for 2026. TotalEnergies has partnered with SARIA, the European leader in the collection and reuse of organic waste in the form of sustainable products, which will supply most of the site’s feedstock.”

The Senior Vice President of Renewable Fuels & Chemicals at TotalEnergies, Valérie Goff, expressed delight over the development.

“I am delighted with this strategic agreement with Quatra that contributes to our aim to secure the feedstock we need to produce biofuels in our biorefineries. The development of biofuels is one of our company’s strategic goals. “By directly reducing the carbon intensity of the energy products used by our customers, we are actively working with them as part of our net zero approach, together with society,” Goff said.

A Co-Chief Executive Officer at Quatra, Pol Van Pollaert, stated, “At Quatra, we believe in long-term partnerships with leading industrial groups that combine logistics, environmental responsibility and financial viability. The deal between Quatra France and TotalEnergies is an excellent example of that.”

Pollaert noted that by supplying locally collected used cooking oil, the company was contributing to a sustainable value chain.

This, he said, “allows us to focus on our core business, which is the efficient collection of used cooking oil across France, allowing TotalEnergies to turn that valuable resource into biofuel.”