Shell blends second advanced biofuel into Scuderia Ferrari race fuel at South Korea Grand Prix

Shell today announced that it has blended a second advanced biofuel into fuel supplied to Scuderia Ferrari for the last three races of the 2010 Formula One championship. Scuderia Ferrari will use a fuel containing ‘‘biogasoline’’, a biofuel converted directly from plant sugars. The ‘‘biogasoline’’ has been produced by Shell’s technology partner Virent at its facility in Madison Wisconsin, USA.

Since the start of the Formula One season in March, the fuel Shell supplied to Scuderia Ferrari has contained a biofuel component made from cellulosic ethanol, an advanced biofuel made from straw. For the remaining three races of the season, the Shell fuel will contain both advanced biofuels.

The Virent process uses catalysts to convert plant sugars directly into petrol and petrol blend components, like those produced at a petroleum refinery. The sugars can be sourced from more sustainable non-food raw materials such as corn stover, wheat straw and sugar cane residue, or from conventional biofuel feedstocks such as sugar beet, corn, wheat and sugar cane. The energy content of Virent’s ‘‘biogasoline’’ is the same as or better than premium petrol and can be blended seamlessly into conventional petrol. In the future this could eliminate the need for any specialised infrastructure, engine modifications or blending equipment for use by Shell’s customers.

Shell has been working closely together with Scuderia Ferrari all season to develop the fuel supplied, by leveraging the current FIA regulations and continuing to optimise fuel performance.

“We are delighted that the fuel we are supplying to Scuderia Ferrari this season contains a second advanced bio-component,” says Dr Lisa Lilley, Shell’s Technology Manager for Ferrari. “This announcement clearly demonstrates Shell’s leadership and commitment to the development of sustainable, lower-carbon fuels. At Shell, we are accelerating the research, development and demonstration of advanced biofuels and we are committed to technical innovation through our motorsport activities.”

“We are very pleased to be the first Formula One team to be using two advanced biofuel components in our racing fuel, developed and supplied by Shell,” says Luca Marmorini, Head of the Engine & Electronics Department, Scuderia Ferrari. “Ferrari is proud to share the same commitment as Shell, in developing a more sustainable future in Formula One.”


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Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com

Shell is working to meet government mandates for biofuel and has become the world’s largest distributor of biofuels. The company is working with biofuel manufacturers to secure cost-effective supply with clear social and environmental standards. Shell is a leader in the development of advanced biofuels. In addition to its collaboration with Virent, Shell’s global programme includes collaborations with Iogen Energy (on the production of enzymatic cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste), Codexis (on enzyme conversion) and a joint venture called Cellana (research of marine algae for vegetable oil).


Virent Energy Systems, Inc
Virent’s BioForming(R) process is a leading technology for the production of sustainable advanced biofuels, including ‘‘biogasoline’’, diesel, and jet fuel, and many chemicals. The process has won numerous technology and innovation awards including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge and the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer awards. Virent has 95 employees and a state of the art catalytic biorefining development facility located in Madison, Wisconsin. Virent counts premier, global companies Cargill, Shell, and Honda, among its investors. The BioForming technology is based on the patented Aqueous Phase Reforming process. To learn more, visit: www.virent.com - opens in new window