Industrial waste fuels to cut emissions in marine, off-road engines

Finnish researcher Michaela Hissa from the University of Vaasa has demonstrated that fuels derived from industrial waste and by-products can serve as cleaner alternatives for powering high-demand marine and off-road engines. Her research focused on renewable naphtha produced from crude tall oil—a pulp industry by-product—and marine gas oil refined from recycled lubricants classified as hazardous waste. These fuels, when blended with fossil diesel, reduce harmful emissions such as smoke, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, offering a practical solution for sectors where electric and hybrid propulsion systems are not yet viable. Both renewable naphtha and marine gas oil are drop-in fuels, meaning they can be used in existing engines without significant modifications, which is crucial given the large number of heavy-duty engines in operation that cannot be replaced quickly. While the raw materials for these fuels are abundant globally, scaling up production will require effective collection and refining infrastructure. Hissa highlights that wood-based residues, especially in Finland with its strong forest industry, could play