Cheaper type of diesel headed to South Africa

Cheaper type of diesel headed to South Africa

Big names in the South African industry are teaming up to create a cleaner, greener, and cheaper fuel.

A person holding the petrol and diesel nozzles of the dispenser at a petrol station
A person holding the petrol and diesel nozzles of the dispenser at a petrol station/iStock/Iryna Melnyk

Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers have announced a joint project to produce renewable diesel, a fuel that's good for the environment and can help cut fuel costs.

According to BusinessTech, the cheaper renewable diesel will be made from plants like nicotine-free tobacco and Moringa.

SOLARIS_AND_MORINGA_PLANT
BusinessTech

These crops will be grown on land previously used for mining, giving unused land and areas a new lease on life.

Oil from these plants will be turned into vegetable oil, which will then be processed into renewable diesel.

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Not only will the new fuel have a significant impact on the environment, but it’s also special because it can be used in existing diesel engines without any changes.

This means trucks, cars, and other equipment can use it right away.

By using the old mining land and existing processing facilities, the initial costs are kept low, which in turn means cheaper fuel.

The focus right now is on growing the plants, with bigger investments planned for the future.

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Experts say this renewable diesel is a game-changer as it meets the same quality standards as regular diesel but produces less pollution.

Companies can reduce their environmental impact without needing to buy new equipment. It's a win-win for the environment and the economy.

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Image: iStock

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