Energy and innovation
Advanced biofuels
We are working alongside scientists at universities, government laboratories and companies to progress the science needed to deliver advanced biofuels with environmental benefits.
Investing in New Technologies
Meeting demand for increased energy supplies
Global demand for energy is projected to grow by about 25 percent through 2040. To expand supplies — while increasing efficiency and mitigating emissions — an integrated set of solutions will be required.
That is why ExxonMobil is funding a broad portfolio of biofuels research programs for new energy sources. ExxonMobil is focused on advanced biofuels that do not compete with food or water supplies. Examples include algae, corn stover, switchgrass or methane emitted from microbial activity in landfills. Among many other benefits, algae can be used to manufacture biofuels similar in composition to today’s transportation fuels.
~$250M
ExxonMobil investment in biofuels research in the last decade1,500 gallons
fuel per acre per year potentially yielded from algae — five times more fuel per acre than from sugar cane or cornDeveloping scalable biofuels
ExxonMobil is working to identify the best pathways to make these groundbreaking technologies available to consumers, working with a number of top partners. Through these partnerships, ExxonMobil is focused on the fundamental science and engineering so ultimately we can produce advanced biofuels that are affordable, sustainable and scalable.
News
ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group partner with Clariant to advance cellulosic biofuel research
ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG) signed a joint research agreement with Clariant to evaluate the potential use of cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste and residues to produce biofuel, which has the potential to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn more All articles about advanced biofuels
A bio-fueled future, with Tim McMinn
Energy Factor recently spoke with Tim McMinn, a senior technology advisor at ExxonMobil with more than 23 years of experience with the company. He is a member of the leadership team in the company’s Low Carbon Solutions business, which seeks to commercialize proven technologies to reduce carbon emissions across the industrial, power generation and transportation sectors. In this interview, Tim talks about ExxonMobil’s work with low-emission fuels.
Perspective
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Jan. 26, 2022
ExxonMobil expands interest in biofuels, acquires stake in Biojet AS
IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil is expanding its interests in biofuels that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, acquiring a 49.9% stake in Biojet AS, a Norwegian biofuels company that plans to convert forestry and wood-based construction waste into lower-emissions biofuels and biofuel components.
News releases
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Jan. 11, 2022
ExxonMobil affiliate to produce renewable diesel to help reduce transportation emissions in Canada
IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil today announced its majority-owned affiliate, Imperial Oil Ltd., is moving forward with plans to produce renewable diesel at a new complex at its Strathcona refinery in Edmonton, Canada. When construction is complete, the refinery is expected to produce approximately 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel, which could reduce emissions in the Canadian transportation sector by about 3 million metric tons per year. The complex will utilize locally grown plant-based feedstock and hydrogen with carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of the manufacturing process.
News releases
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Aug. 25, 2021
ExxonMobil and Global Clean Energy Holdings sign agreement for renewable diesel
IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil has signed an agreement with Global Clean Energy Holdings to purchase 2.5 million barrels of renewable diesel per year for five years from a converted California refinery starting in 2022.
News releases
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Aug. 11, 2020
From farm leftovers to biofuel
Imagine turning agricultural leftovers into low-emission biofuel. That is, taking plant parts like inedible cornstalks and fueling our cars, trucks, boats and planes. ExxonMobil and its partners at Clariant and Genomatica are working together as part of an ambitious research program to do just that.
Perspective
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Feb. 13, 2020