Portugal's BioAdvance biodiesel plant faces licensing review

The Environmental Licensing Single Process for BioAdvance, a biodiesel producer operating at the port of Figueira da Foz, is open for public comment until 26 June on the Participa portal. The company ran its plant in 2025 without the required Exploration Title or Environmental License, prompting an investigation for a possible common‑danger pollution offence.

BioAdvance’s facility can produce biodiesel from used cooking oils, oleins and fatty acids, as well as glycerine. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) will consider any written observations related specifically to the installation. Earlier reports from the Central Region Coordination and Development Commission (CCDRC) and APA revealed the licence gaps, leading to a notice to the General Inspection of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Territorial Planning (IGAMAOT). In February 2025 the CCDRC suspended the project’s National Interest status (PIN) for lack of a Digital Installation Title, a decision echoed by the Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP). Despite the licensing shortfall, BioAdvance received roughly €4 million in EU funds in March 2025.