Mele Kalikimaka

Happy Friday Friends.

It’s Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve, and as the big fella in red checks on who’s been naughty or nice all the boys and girls at Syntech Biofuel can breathe a sigh of relief and hang up their stockings safe in the knowledge that we did the right thing again this year.

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright just like the words of the last songlink of the year, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjtnSfdD5KA

As we ready ourselves for the Christmas shenanigans and the year draws to a close, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve achieved and where we’re heading.

At Syntech, 2024 has been a transformative year for the biofuel industry and for our company. In the face of growing global urgency around decarbonisation, this year has reinforced the importance of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in shaping a sustainable future.

It’s incredible to think that in just one year, the emissions we’ve helped avoid could power thousands of sleigh rides – without the reindeer!

Highlights

We’ll always be more Brewdog than BP and innovation has always been at the heart of Syntech’s mission,  2024 was no exception.

Our science team developed the on-site testing facilities giving us greater capability and formidable fuel quality.

Our team, scientists, the biotech’s, the creators the contractors and back office marched onwards, they’re always aware that what we’re doing here is special and we’re always aware that we can’t do it without them.

Every Dream, Needs a Team!

One of the standout projects this year was our collaboration with industry and academic partners to develop our biofuel, Syntech ASB into being ‘The Most Sustainable Fuel Available in the UK today’

Our work with the good people at Balfour Beatty, National Highways, JCB and our collaboration with the construction and infrastructure sectors has been, and pardon the pun, groundbreaking in bringing our ultra-sustainable low carbon fuel to large projects and adding meaningful value to help decarbonise them.

In the second half of the year our social impact and outreach programmes came to the fore collaborating with Canterbury Christchurch university, University of Greenwich and University of Kent.

We held our first Decarbonising Kent Day engaging first with our local council Medway then all the others within Kent County Council.

Supported by people like Cathy LePage and Mel Phelps at Medway we saw our profile enhanced in schools and places of learning , giving us the amazing opportunity to engage with the next generation of job and career seekers. Allowing us to transfer knowledge and make them aware that there is a range of exciting jobs becoming available in renewable energy.

Showing them that a new way of energising our planet will create whole new opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators, technology and pathways.

2025 is set to be really exciting as this work expands.

By utilising used cooking oils from the UK only we pushed the button on an energy transformation that will give us fuel security in a world that is worryingly un-stable in many different regions.

We didn’t only enhance efficiency but also addressed the food-versus-fuel debate. This aligned with our commitment to sustainability without compromising food security.

We also made significant strides in reducing the carbon intensity of our operations. We knew we could do things differently, so we did!

Powering our production sites with our own fuel, powering all our other vehicles with our own fuel, powering our heating systems and boilers with our own fuel, treating our waste water organically so we can re-use and all but eliminating the use of not so nice chemicals means that we will be making a really exciting announcement in early 2025.

Collaborative Sustainability 

One of the most inspiring aspects of 2024 has been the spirit of collaboration. At events like the Highways show at the NEC, we saw firsthand how cross-sector partnerships can accelerate progress.

Syntech partnered with construction firms to supply biofuels for heavy plant and machinery, significantly reducing their carbon footprints. These collaborations are a testament to what can be achieved when industries and humans work together towards a common goal.

On a larger scale, our partnerships with logistics companies and the brilliant folk at Northside Mercedes have expanded the opportunity for adoption of Syntech ASB in fleet and freight.

We were proud to sponsor the British Truck Racing Champion Ryan Smith and his team, we were also proud to be there watching as he won his 9^th consecutive championship at Brands Hatch in November. Proving you can race fast, and now you can race sustainably!

All these efforts are not only reducing emissions but also setting new standards for sustainable supply chains. We like to think of it as our version of “driving home for Christmas” – only with less CO2 and no traffic jams.

Challenges and Opportunities

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Regulatory uncertainty remains a challenge, particularly as governments grapple with balancing environmental goals with economic realities. However, we’ve also seen encouraging signs, such as increased incentives for renewable energy projects and tighter emissions standards. These policy shifts create opportunities for Syntech and the biofuel industry to thrive.

Another challenge has been public perception. While awareness of climate change is growing, misconceptions about biofuels persist. Education and transparent communication have been key to addressing these issues. This year, our outreach initiatives reached thousands, from community workshops to digital campaigns, helping to demystify our work and highlight its benefits.

Looking Ahead

As we look to 2025, the roadmap is clear. Scaling production, delivering a fuel that consistently exceeds the BS EN 14214 standard, and getting it out there will be our primary focus areas. The demand for low-carbon solutions is only set to increase, and Syntech is well-positioned to meet it.

We’re also excited to deepen our engagement in global discussions on sustainability. Next year’s COP30 promises to build on the momentum from Baku, and we’re committed to being at the forefront of these conversations.

A Final Reflection

2024 has been a year of progress, but it’s also been a year of learning. At Syntech, we’ve seen how innovation and collaboration can drive meaningful change. But we’ve also been reminded that the road to sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint.

And I tell you what, what a massive amount of fun it’s been along the way!

To everyone who has supported us this year – our staff, partners, and stakeholders – Thank you.

The best way to predict the future in my book, is to create it.

Let’s do just that. Here’s to a promising 2025 and beyond.

Thanks for reading, and on behalf of everyone here at Kingsnorth, may I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mike.

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