Used Cooking Oil as Key Feedstock for Renewable Fuels

• Strategic feedstock: Used cooking oil is rapidly gaining importance as a key raw material for renewable fuels, driven by growing demand across Europe.
• High CO₂ savings without system change: Biodiesel made from used cooking oil directly replaces fossil diesel and delivers substantial greenhouse gas reductions.
• Small drops, big impact: Proper disposal protects the environment and critical infrastructure.

Used cooking oil is quickly emerging as one of the most important feedstocks for renewable fuels in Europe. Stricter regulatory requirements, ambitious climate targets, and the expansion of capacity for biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are driving demand sharply upward. At the same time, supply remains limited — because used cooking oil is only available if it is collected properly.

European regulation is driving demand

European policy frameworks for promoting renewable fuels (RED II/III) deliberately prioritize biofuels derived from waste and residues. Used cooking oil plays a central role in this strategy, as it does not compete with food production and enables particularly high greenhouse gas savings.

Europe is already the world’s largest market for used cooking oil. Countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom continue to drive demand through increasing blending mandates and emission reduction targets. At the same time, demand is also rising in aviation: sustainable aviation fuel is turning used cooking oil into a strategic feedstock well beyond road transport.

However, availability remains the decisive factor. Consumption is directly linked to actual collection volumes. In well-organized markets, realistic collection rates reach around 85 percent.

From kitchen waste to climate protection

Biodiesel produced from used cooking oil replaces fossil fuel and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 93 percent.
“For nearly two decades, biofuels have been blended into fossil fuels in Europe and Austria,” emphasizes Ewald-Marco Münzer, Managing Partner of Münzer Bioindustrie GmbH. “As a result, around 1.87 million tons of CO₂ are saved every year.” Used cooking oil therefore ranks among the most efficient feedstocks available for the immediate decarbonization of transport.

Whether in private households, restaurants, or commercial kitchens, the contribution starts in every kitchen. When used cooking oil is disposed of improperly, it can cause severe buildup and damage in wastewater systems. Controlled, source-separated collection prevents these impacts while enabling high-quality recovery as a renewable resource.

Simple collection systems and easily accessible drop-off points - such as those provided by Münzer - are therefore essential to fully unlock the available potential.