Neste refutes USDA’s claim of receiving fraudulent UCO from China

Finnish oil refiner Neste has challenged the fraudulent allegations made by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

PHOTO: Neste's oil refinery (main area) in Singapore. Neste

The refiner said it plans to contact the USDA authorities to “discuss and learn more about the assertions in the report.”

The USDA in its biofuel annual report released on 1 September claimed that Neste received duplicate or fraudulent used cooking oil (UCO) volumes at its renewable products refinery in Singapore, and virgin palm oil from Indonesia was exported as UCO through China.

Neste has firmly denied these allegations, deeming them either “erroneous” or “based on misunderstanding”. It further claimed that its analyses of the UCO it received from China “do not support the USDA’s assertions.”

Neste stated that it does not import conventional biofuels such as bio-based diesel or hydrogen-derived renewable diesel from China or Indonesia to European markets or elsewhere. The company clarified that it produces its renewable products including renewable diesel at its own refineries.

“Any suggestions that Neste would somehow be involved in the Chinese or Indonesian biofuels exports to Europe or elsewhere are incorrect,” the company said in its statement.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online