NYK develops antioxidant to slow biofuel degradation

Japan-headquartered NYK Group’s chemical R&D division, Nippon Yuka Kogyo, has developed what it claims to be Japan’s first antioxidant aimed at mitigating oxidation-related issues in marine biofuel blends.

IMAGE: NYK Group

A key challenge with using biofuels as an alternative marine fuel is the higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which makes them more susceptible to oxidation compared to conventional oil-based fuels like VLSFO and LSMGO.

The oxidation leads to the formation of acidic substances and sludge, diminishing the fuel’s calorific value and impacting engine performance.

Beyond efficiency loss, the oxidised fuel can cause metal corrosion, strainer blockages, and cleaning-system fouling, raising operational concerns.

In response, NYK’s antioxidant can combat these issues by controlling the oxidation process, the company claims. The product is “specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability” of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)-based bio-diesel fuels.

According to NYK, the additive slows oxidation by stabilising the fuel’s chemical composition. “The addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel,” NYK Group said.

The product is slated for commercial release on 10 August.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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