Insanely low carbon, insanely high speed: Gevo, Shell ink racing fuel blendstock deal

From Colorado comes news that Gevo inked a purchase agreement for its low-carbon intensity fuel blendstock with Shell Global Solutions Deutschland for use in motorsports.

Yep., Gevo’s insanely low-carbon fleul blendstock now heads for the racing circuit and the grueling world of motorspots. Sustaninable? Check. Affordable? Check. Fast? Check, check, check. Or should we put it, checkered flag.

Race fans of a certain age will remember that Andy Granatelli used to promote STP additives as “the Racer’s Edge” – maybe it’s time to revive that moniker. Details are not clear at press time as to volumes and delivery dates – we’ll advise as we learn more.

The deal backstory

Gevo is committed to carbon abatement. By producing high-performance racing fuel blendstock from sustainable feedstocks like agricultural waste, which comply with the EU Renewable Energy Directive Annex IX requirements, Gevo is developing a crucial component for low-carbon fuel solutions.

Reaction from the stakeholders

“This is an important step towards a sustainable future,” says Damien Perriman, Gevo’s Chief Business Development Officer. “The racing industry exhilarates and inspires, and its enormous audience has an appreciation of what technology can do to enhance the human experience. Leading companies across the globe are looking to Gevo to deliver net-zero fuels and chemicals. With products like renewable fuels for all modes of transportation, specialty additives for lubricants, and sustainable chemicals that replace outdated technologies, Gevo is thrilled to drive this transformation.”

Matthias Mundt, General Manager Fuels Technology Future Mobility Portfolio at Shell, says: “As a supplier of specialty fuels to racing series around the world, Shell is focused on improving sustainability while maximizing efficiency and performance, such as with the 100% renewable race fuel we developed for the NTT INDYCAR series. We are pleased to collaborate with Gevo to explore the possibilities provided by their low-carbon intensity products.”

The Gevo backstory

Gevo’s mission is to convert renewable energy and biogenic carbon into sustainable fuels and chemicals with a net zero or better carbon footprint. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of products, including sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”), motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials. Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities for these renewable fuels and other products. It currently runs one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States. It also owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo emphasizes the importance of sustainability by tracking and verifying the carbon footprint of their business systems through its Verity subsidiary.
For more information, see www.gevo.com.