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HVO Pathways in Europe – Key Takeaways from Eurofuel’s Technical Webinar

Eurofuel recently hosted a technical webinar titled “Renewables in Heating: HVO Pathways in Europe,” bringing together experts from across the value chain to discuss the role of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in the decarbonisation of heating.

The session gathered insights from producers, appliance manufacturers, and national experts, offering a comprehensive overview of market developments, regulatory frameworks, and real-world implementation across Europe.

The webinar opened with an overview of renewable liquid fuels, highlighting the increasing relevance of HVO alongside other options such as FAME. As Europe seeks cost-effective and scalable solutions to reduce emissions in heating, these fuels are gaining attention for their potential to deliver immediate carbon savings using existing infrastructure.

From the production side, the discussion emphasised the importance of scaling up sustainable feedstocks and ensuring robust certification systems. HVO is already widely used in transport, and its application in heating represents a natural extension—provided that policy frameworks support its deployment.

One of the key messages from the webinar was that HVO can, in many cases, be used as a drop-in fuel in existing heating systems. Industry experience shows that, with minimal adjustments, appliances can operate efficiently with HVO, offering a practical pathway for reducing emissions without requiring costly system replacements.

Real-world experience from Austria and Finland illustrated how national contexts shape HVO adoption:

In Austria, field tests have demonstrated the technical feasibility of HVO in heating applications, while also identifying practical considerations for broader rollout.

Finland, often seen as a frontrunner, benefits from supportive policies and market conditions that have enabled wider uptake of renewable fuels.

These examples highlight the importance of aligning policy, market incentives, and technical readiness to unlock the full potential of HVO.

The webinar concluded with a clear message: renewable liquid fuels such as HVO can play a significant role in Europe’s heating transition, particularly in areas where electrification may not be immediately feasible.

To increase the use of low-carbon heating solutions, we need stable and supportive policy frameworks, ongoing investments in production capacity, and clear communication about their technical feasibility and benefits.

Eurofuel will continue to promote dialogue and share knowledge through its webinar series, which brings together stakeholders to develop practical solutions for low-carbon heating.

Watch the full webinar recording on Eurofuel’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/vrmw-6VSTyE