OKQ8 launches environmental diesel without palm oil
OKQ8 has decided to use other raw materials than palm oil in the new environmental fuel Diesel Eco20, which decreases the carbon dioxide emissions from diesel vehicles.
"We have weighed advantages and disadvantages regarding the palm oil and we have decided to launch our environmental fuel based on other vegetale oils and animal fats", Camilla Slunge Dowling, environmental director of OKQ8, says.
It is not yet clear when the new environmental diesel Diesel Eco20 will be delivered to the customers.
OKQ8 has earlier decided to postpone the launch of the new environmental diesel with sustainable grown palm oil from Malaysia. OKQ8 has been listening to the environemntal organisations at the same time as they have been considering different alternatives. This is now followed with a decision to replace the palm oil with other alternatives before a future launch will be done of the new environmental fuel.
It is important for OKQ8, which is driving the environmental development, to influence how raw materials are produced by carrying through strikt demands. Our supplier lives up to our demands. There is still a risk though, that other less particular producers take advantage of the situation and cut down rainforest to fulfil the needs of an increased demand. That is a risk OKQ8 can not accept and therefore we chose to use other raw materials for the environemntal fuel Diesel Eco20.
"The important thing is that the struggle for a better climate persists. You can not twiddle your thumbs and wait for the ultimate solution. It is better taking rather small steps for a better climate than not doing anything. It is our way of taking responsibility for a better climate", says Camilla Slunge Dowling.
For more information, contact:
Camilla Slunge Dowling, environmental director, 08 – 506 80 236, 070 – 268 00 57,
e-post: camilla.dowling@okq8.se
Mikael Björner, information, 08-506 801 06, 070-268 01 14
e-post: mikael.bjorner@okq8.se
Swedish Oil Company OKQ8 trashes plans to use palm oil as fuel
Stockholm, Sweden – Greenpeace welcomes OKQ8’s decision to abandon their plans to use palm oil as an ingredient in their new biodiesel Eco20. We hope now that other companies in Europe will follow OkQ8’s decision and not sell biofuels that destroy the climate and the environment.
„OKQ8 has shown that they take environmental issues seriously. Now it is up to politicians to close the door to fake climate solutions for good. An important step is to remove the subsidies for palm oil as a fuel", says Anders Hellberg, spokesperson for palm oil issues.
„If the subsidies are removed, the oil companies will no longer have an economic incentive to invest in palm oil as an alternative”, contines Hellberg.
OKQ8 was the first oil company in Europe to plan to launch biodiesel containing palm oil. After strong protests from environmental movements such as Greenpeace, the company decided on October 11 to postpone their launch that had been intended to take place in late October. After two days of protests by Greenpeace at their headquarters, the announcement was made late yesterday afternoon that they would exclude palm oil from their biodiesel for good.
