Eurofuel blog

New blog: From oil to biofuel: A renewable future for home heating in France

Across France, the decarbonisation of heating is gaining momentum. Liquid fuels, traditionally associated with fossil energy, are now becoming part of the renewable transition through the use of sustainable biofuels. This evolution offers an immediate and practical way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while preserving the country’s diverse heating infrastructure.

Biofuel, also known as FAME or EMAG, is produced from renewable raw materials, including vegetable oils, recycled cooking fats, and animal fats. Through a process called transesterification, these raw materials are transformed into a liquid fuel suitable for use in existing heating systems, either as a pure product (F100) or blended with conventional domestic heating oil. This allows French households and businesses to continue using proven, efficient heating technologies while progressively reducing their carbon footprint.

Recent laboratory tests with F55 and F100 fuels conducted in France by CETIAT confirm the environmental and technical benefits of biofuels. Rapeseed-derived biofuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 58% compared to standard domestic heating oil. Its intrinsic oxygen content improves combustion efficiency and reduces particulate emissions by up to 60% with F100 blends and 30% with F50 blends. These laboratory results will be verified in field trials with volunteer consumers during the 2025–2026 winter. The tests, supervised by CETIAT, will lead to a request for official approval of these new fuels from French public authorities.

However, some technical aspects require particular attention. Pure biofuel behaves differently from conventional oil: it acts as a solvent, can solidify at lower temperatures, and interacts with certain materials. To ensure compatibility, components such as tanks, pipes, and burner parts must be made from resistant materials such as stainless steel, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and fluorocarbon elastomers. Proper storage conditions—avoiding water infiltration and keeping temperatures above the cold flow limit—help maintain the fuel’s quality and reliability.

When these factors are taken into account, biofuel is a safe, biodegradable, and efficient energy carrier. Its high flash point and stable combustion characteristics make it suitable for both new and existing installations. With regular maintenance and system checks, heating with renewable liquid fuels can match the reliability and comfort that French consumers expect from traditional systems.

For policymakers and industry stakeholders, biofuels represent a credible and scalable contribution to France’s decarbonisation goals. They allow the gradual substitution of fossil energy without forcing households into costly system changes, ensuring a socially fair and technologically neutral energy transition.

The story of biofuels is one of continuity and innovation, transforming used oils and renewable resources into sustainable heat. With CETIAT’s latest laboratory tests proving successful, the next step will be to carry out field trials with households across France. These consumer tests will further demonstrate the reliability and environmental benefits of biofuels in real-life heating systems, paving the way for their broader adoption as a practical, renewable alternative to heating oil.