Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ has been successfully tested for the first time by Rio Tinto in its Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia. This pioneering trial, conducted in partnership with global renewable diesel leader Neste and leading Australian fuel supplier Viva Energy, marked a significant milestone for Rio Tinto as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and explore sustainable fuel alternatives.
The Trial: Scope and Execution
The trial, which took place over four weeks in January and February 2025, saw Neste provide 8,500 tons (10 million liters) of renewable diesel derived from used cooking oil. This fuel was transported from Singapore to Rio Tinto’s Parker Point fuel terminal in Dampier, where it was blended with fossil diesel to create a mix containing approximately 20% renewable diesel. The fuel blend was then distributed across Rio Tinto’s extensive Pilbara operations, covering its ports, railways, mines, and a range of heavy-duty equipment, including haul trucks, blasting, surface mining machinery, light vehicles, and rail services.
This marked the first time renewable diesel was tested across such a broad network in Rio Tinto’s Australian operations, providing the company with critical insights into how renewable diesel could be scaled up for long-term use in its industrial fleet.
Environmental Impact and Insights
The trial was not only a first for Rio Tinto but also a significant step towards the company’s emissions reduction targets. Over the duration of the trial, the use of Neste MY Renewable Diesel helped cut down Rio Tinto’s Scope 1 emissions by approximately 27,000 tonnes of direct greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction is equivalent to the tailpipe emissions of about 6,300 cars over a year, underscoring the potential of renewable diesel to significantly contribute to lowering carbon footprints in large-scale operations.
Rio Tinto Managing Director of Rail, Port, and Core Services, Richard Cohen, highlighted the importance of renewable diesel in complementing long-term electrification strategies. “Diesel makes up about 70% of the total carbon emissions from our Pilbara iron ore operations. While electrification is the ultimate longer-term solution for repowering the majority of our fleet, we’re also exploring biofuels as a complementary and nearer-term solution,” said Cohen. “Through this trial with Neste and Viva Energy, we’ve gained valuable insights into how renewable diesel can help bridge the gap to widespread electrification as well as for circumstances where electrification may not be suitable.”
Partnerships Driving Sustainability
The collaboration between Neste and Rio Tinto builds upon their successful partnership in the United States, where renewable diesel was successfully implemented at Rio Tinto’s Boron and Kennecott operations. Neste My Renewable Diesel has already replaced 11% of Rio Tinto’s global fossil diesel consumption in the U.S., illustrating its effectiveness in diverse operational environments.
“Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a readily available solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Building on the successful partnership in the US, the agreement in Australia reinforces our commitment to support our customers and demonstrates the capabilities of renewable diesel across a wide range of applications. This milestone signifies the continuous collaboration with Rio Tinto, and we look forward to further expanding our cooperation,” said Ee Pin Lee, Head of Commercial APAC Renewable Products at Neste.
Viva Energy, which played a crucial role in the trial by supplying and blending the renewable diesel, also emphasized the value of drop-in biofuels like renewable diesel in aiding the transition to a low-carbon economy. “This trial effectively demonstrated the critical role renewable diesel is going to play in reducing the carbon footprint of Australia’s heavy industry,” said Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer, Lachlan Pfeiffer. “Viva Energy is working alongside key partners like Rio Tinto to help them identify the right low-carbon solution to meet their specific business needs.”
The Path Forward for Rio Tinto and Biofuels: Neste My Renewable Diesel
As Rio Tinto continues to explore biofuels as part of its strategy to meet its ambitious Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction targets, this trial represents an important milestone in the company’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It also reflects the growing role of renewable diesel in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across industries with high energy demands, such as mining, transportation, and heavy manufacturing.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Neste and expanding the use of renewable diesel across our operations as we work towards our long-term emissions reduction goals,” said Richard Cohen. The success of this trial has paved the way for further collaborations between Neste, Viva Energy, and Rio Tinto, aiming to scale up the use of renewable diesel to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability across Rio Tinto’s Australian operations.
About Neste
Neste is a world leader in renewable fuel production and is committed to mitigating climate change through innovative solutions. The company produces sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, enabling its customers to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Neste refines waste and renewable raw materials into high-quality renewable fuels, with refineries located on three continents. By 2027, Neste’s renewable fuels production capacity is set to reach 6.8 million tons per year, further cementing its role in the global transition to sustainable energy.
Source Neste