Viva Energy and Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (Cleanaway) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the production of low-carbon liquid fuels and related products at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery.
The agreement is intended to establish a steady supply of domestic used cooking oil (UCO) from Cleanaway’s Laverton treatment facility for the manufacture of renewable diesel blends and bio circular polymers.
Under the MoU, large volumes of UCO will be delivered to the Geelong refinery, where pilot programs have demonstrated the co-processing of UCO alongside crude oil into commercially viable products.
It noted that the process involves purifying the UCO into a ready-to-use feedstock before its integration in the refinery, creating a closed loop between waste generation, resource recovery, and reuse.
Viva Energy said the initiative could provide practical pathways for customers seeking to reduce Scope 1 emissions.
Cleanaway said it operates more than 4,100 heavy vehicles across Australia, offering essential waste management services, and could potentially benefit from the use of renewable diesel in its operations.
Lachlan Pfeiffer, Chief Strategy Officer at Viva Energy, said the development of sustainable energy solutions relies on both technological innovation and supportive government policy.
“Australia has the expertise, technology, and local supply chains to adopt an important role in sustainable energy and circular manufacturing,” Pfeiffer said.
“Official recognition and support for co-processing in NGERS and the Guarantee of Origin Scheme would help build the case for investment in local recycling, clean fuel production, and job creation, helping Australia retain and indeed build its sovereign manufacturing capability.”
Cleanaway’s Executive General Manager Strategy and M&A, Frank Lintvelt, noted the potential economic and environmental benefits of the partnership.
“By recognising co-processing, we can convert waste into valuable products and build the foundations of a prosperous, low-carbon liquid fuel industry in Australia to decarbonise hard-to-abate transport sectors,” Lintvelt said.
“We look forward to working closely with government to help shape policies that support these shared goals and inspire a new generation of sustainable solutions.”
Co-processing is already adopted by nearly 40 refineries worldwide and is seen as a proven method to produce lower-carbon fuels.
The companies highlighted that formal recognition of emissions reductions from co-processed fuels by the Australian Government would allow customers to accurately report these benefits under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS).
