Advertise on podcast: The Fuel for Thought Podcast

What does a pork producer have to do with renewable fuels? Everything, if you're Seaboard Energy. Peter Rosenthal, President and CEO of Seaboard Energy, joins the podcast to explore how a company with deep agricultural roots is turning animal fats, used cooking oil and other byproducts into biodiesel, renewable diesel and renewable natural gas. From navigating regulatory hurdles to managing risk in new technologies, Peter Rosenthal shares the blueprint for transitioning legacy agriculture into clean energy… and what's next for feedstocks and fuels in a vertically integrated model.

Renewable fuels have the technology. They have the feedstocks. So why does revenue certainty remain the biggest barrier to scale? Jessica Olson, Head of Global Affairs, Americas & Indo-Pacific at Topsoe, and Asmara Klein, Head of External Relations and Public Affairs at Zaffra, join the podcast to explore how regulation is shaping markets for SAF, renewable diesel and e-SAF. From the differences between EU mandates and US incentives to the fragmented landscape across aviation, shipping and road transport, this conversation reveals what makes renewable fuel policy work… and what's still missing.

Randy Delbert Letang, founder, President and CEO of SGP BioEnergy, joins the podcast to explore the real barriers to scale, and how SGP is trying to break through them. From a Panama biorefinery nearing mechanical completion to a hemp-based feedstock program designed to regenerate soil and sequester carbon, SGP's integrated, zero-waste model offers a different lens on what sustainable fuel production can look like.

Biofuels remain one of the most mature renewable solutions... but balancing production, feedstock use and carbon impact is far from simple. Agustin Torroba of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) joins the podcast to explore how global ethanol and biodiesel markets are adapting to policy pressures, new certification frameworks and evolving sustainability standards.

Revamping existing facilities for renewable fuels can be faster and more cost-effective than building new. Ole Frej Alkilde and Lars Jørgensen of Topsoe explore the technical realities of converting hydroprocessing units, from managing hydrogen demand to navigating emerging feedstocks and common bottlenecks.

Behind every successful renewable fuel plant is an EPC company navigating complex engineering, procurement and construction challenges. Carron Freeney from Topsoe joins the podcast to unpack the project lifecycle, contract strategies and why early EPC involvement is critical to success in the energy transition.

In Episode 2, Fuel for Thought host Sylvain Verdier talks with Rik Sneep of Moeve about transforming a century-old energy business into a front-runner in renewable fuels. From feedstock security to strategic airline partnerships and hedging with methanol and ammonia, Rik offers a clear, pragmatic view on making renewable fuels scale happen.

In the opening episode of Season 7, Fuel for Thought brings together three Topsoe experts to assess the renewable fuels sector at a critical juncture. Sandra Winter-Madsen, Sylvain Verdier and Milica Folic, together with host Mikala Grubb, explore the regulatory landscape across the EU, UK, US and Asia-Pacific, examining how mandates are driving demand, how feedstock supply chains are evolving, and why refineries are finally integrating renewable pathways into long-term strategies. From RED III's 2030 targets to maritime sector aspirations, from co-processing adoption to demonstration facilities for e-SAF research and production, the conversation offers a clear-eyed, comprehensive view of where the industry stands – and the collaborative momentum building toward 2026.

In the final episode of our three-part SAF Special series, Fuel for Thought welcomes Mélanie Astruc and Bruno James from Airbus to unpack the manufacturer’s SAF strategy and path to 100 % compatibility. The discussion covers technical certification, supply chain coordination, airport readiness, and the delicate balance between short-term SAF adoption and longer-term alternatives such as hydrogen and electric propulsion. A fascinating close to our SAF Specials – and a clear view of how aviation’s future is taking flight today.

In the second of our three-episode SAF Specials, The Fuel for Thought Podcast talks with Elise Fox, Director of Sustainability at World Fuel Services. We explore the practical realities of integrating SAF into global jet fuel infrastructure, the bottlenecks in blending and storage and the opportunities in co-processing, book-and-claim and, of course, airport readiness. Elise offers a grounded view of what’s working, what still needs to change and how the industry can prepare for the mandates ahead.

In the first of our three-part SAF Specials, The Fuel for Thought Podcast Season 7 opens with Patrick Edmond, Chief Marketing Officer at Future Energy Global. We discuss the market realities holding SAF back, the potential of demand aggregation to unlock supply and the role of policy, finance and communication in accelerating adoption. From contrails to hydrogen, Patrick offers a clear-eyed view of aviation’s decarbonization pathway and the bold steps needed to stay on track for 2050.

Let’s continue our exploration of the maritime industry’s journey toward decarbonization. In this episode, we’ll investigate how innovative engine technologies can clear the waters for sustainable shipping. We welcome two experts from MAN Energy Solutions: Agustina Ramirez, a Process Engineer specializing in Energy Solutions and Shipping Decarbonization, and Nikolaos Kourtidis, a Senior Advisor in New Technologies and Dual Fuel Engines. They will share the latest advancements in dual-fuel engines. Operating on both traditional fuels and alternative fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, dual-fuel engines offer the industry a crucial fuel flexibility for navigating the energy transition.

The maritime sector has set sail to embark on its energy transition. But who are the stakeholders involved and how will they navigate the waters ahead? If you’re curious to learn those details (and the complexities that comes with it), then this episode is worth your ear time. Get onboard as we set out to demystify the world of shipping through a better understanding of its stakeholders, regulatory landscape, and the path ahead. Join Sylvain and Mikala as they welcome Femke Spiegelenberg from the Global Maritime Forum and Topsoe’s own Asmara Klein, Public Affairs Specialist.

For more than a century, gasification technology has been used to convert coal into fuel. However, the technology is now pivoting towards the production of renewable fuels, converting renewable feedstocks like solid waste and biomass into pure decarbonization potential. But what should refiners consider before diving head-first into a gasification project? That’s what Sylvain and Mikala set out to explore through an in-depth look at the technology’s evolution, challenges, and prospects. They’re joined by Pauli Baumann, Global Director at Hatch, and Johan Malan, Head of Licensing, North America for Topsoe, so get ready for 360 a discussion on gasification!

Southeast Asia’s 700 million people contribute to 4% of global energy usage. Today, a large part of this energy comes from coal, but the region is making significant strides towards renewable energy sources and increasing its renewable fuels production. In this episode, we explore what’s needed to scale up the deployment of new technologies for Southeast Asia's energy transition. Joining us are Nicholas Ong and Edmund Siau from GenZero, an investment platform company that aims to accelerate decarbonization globally and is actively engaged in projects supporting the energy transition in Southeast Asia.