Biodiesel from used cooking oil and animal fat

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Biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO) is becoming increasingly important. In 2018, the share of biodiesel from UCO was already significantly higher in Germany than biodiesel from rapeseed oil. The use of waste materials for biofuels is welcome, as they do not require land use and thus do not lead to land use change. With the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), the EU is therefore providing incentives for the use of UCO for biofuels. On the other hand, the quantities produced are limited. Moreover, UCO is traded globally like fresh vegetable oils. Almost half of the UCO biodiesel used in Germany already comes from China and South East Asia. RED II therefore also sets an upper limit to the incentive: no more than 1.7 % of these biofuels can be counted towards the quotas. However, Member States may postpone this limit provided they can demonstrate that availability is ensured. Germany must implement the RED II targets by summer 2021. As the limit has already been reached in Germany, a higher limit is being considered for German implementation. This study commissioned by the Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) is intended to analyse the situation and provide facts and bases for the decision on implementation