WHAT IS IT?
Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME) is biodiesel (FAME — Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) produced by reacting used cooking oil with methanol in the presence of a catalyst (transesterification). It is the most traded and premium biodiesel grade in Europe due to its waste feedstock origin.
DIFFERENCE FROM HVO
FAME/UCOME: Chemical reaction changes fatty acid structure → methyl esters. Different molecule from fossil diesel. Blending limited (typically max B7 in road diesel, B30 in marine). Cold flow properties a limitation.
HVO: Hydrotreatment removes oxygen → chemically identical to diesel. Drop-in replacement with no blend limits. No cold flow issues.
Both are certified under same RED II framework and receive double-counting credits.
KEY PROPERTIES
Flash point: >101°C (safer than fossil diesel 55°C)
Cloud point: important limitation — UCOME gels in cold temperatures, limiting blend ratios in winter
Higher lubricity than fossil diesel (good for engine)
Slight energy density reduction vs fossil diesel (~88% of diesel energy content)
BLENDING
B7 (7% FAME blend): Maximum allowed in EN590 road diesel in EU
B100: Pure UCOME — used in dedicated fleet vehicles (buses, trucks) with modified engines
B20, B30: Marine use — no blend limit restriction in marine specifications
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major producers: Europe (Netherlands, Germany — processing Chinese UCO), China (for export)
Major buyers: European blenders and fuel distributors
Tetra relevance: Singapore hub for UCOME trading flows from China/SEA origin UCO → European refiners.
CERTIFICATIONS
ISCC EU: Most critical — mandatory for EU market
Proof of Sustainability with each cargo
EN14214: European FAME quality standard (must comply)
SPECIFICATIONS (EN14214 B100)
Ester content: ≥96.5%
Density at 15°C: 860–900 kg/m³
Viscosity at 40°C: 3.5–5.0 mm²/s
Flash point: ≥101°C
Sulphur: ≤10 mg/kg
Water content: ≤500 mg/kg
Methanol: ≤0.20%
Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP): per climate grade