Superior Plus Corporation Becomes First to Pilot Renewable Propane in Canada

For more than 75 years, Superior Plus Corporation, a leading North American distributor of propane, compressed natural gas, renewable energy and related products and services, has been delivering fuels that keep businesses thriving and communities moving forward. The company is on a bold journey to become North America’s best-in-class energy solutions provider by driving innovation, expanding its customer reach and providing enhanced service.

In an important milestone, Superior became the first company in Canada to pilot renewable propane through a partnership with the City of Chilliwack, located about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia. In September 2024, Superior made the first renewable propane delivery to Chilliwack, marking the first step in the city’s transition to gradually replace its conventional propane supply with a renewable propane alternative.

Renewable propane will be used for the City of Chilliwack’s fleet of vehicles that handle street sweeping, snow ploughing and other road maintenance tasks. This initiative is a pilot project and part of Superior’s broader vision for expanding the availability of renewable propane in the Canadian market.

Studies have shown that renewable propane is the same as conventional propane – reliable, portable, versatile and clean – but with even lower carbon emissions when compared with other energy sources. Renewable propane is derived from renewable feedstocks, commonly produced as a byproduct of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel made from plant and vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. Renewable propane shares an identical molecular structure with conventional propane, offering all the same benefits of dependability, ease of transport and energy efficiency. It can be used alone or in blends with other renewable sources such as DME (dimethyl ether) or conventional propane.

The renewable propane supplied by Superior seamlessly integrates into the City of Chilliwack’s existing auto propane fueling system. The city plans to operate approximately 100 propane-powered units from its fleet solely on renewable propane. These vehicles, spanning various brands, classes, and engine types, serve a range of municipal functions.

Superior has helped the City of Chilliwack demonstrate the real-world performance and emissions-reduction potential of renewable propane, while ensuring an easy integration with its current propane vehicles, which are delivering the same power and performance as before.

As a ‘drop-in’ replacement fuel, renewable propane requires no infrastructure changes, allowing Superior to leverage its existing and vast delivery network to expand availability, as additional supply is secured, to more customers. Consumers can easily switch to renewable propane and enjoy the benefits of a low carbon energy source without incurring additional setup costs.

While there is currently a limited amount of renewable propane available in Canada – it is being produced on a wider scale in the United States and Europe – Superior sees significant future demand for renewable propane in residential and commercial heating and transportation and industrial applications, where there is a strong push to adopt low-carbon energy solutions. In addition, sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, which are focused on reducing emissions, present growing markets.

The push for cleaner liquid fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel fuel could also lead to a sharp increase in renewable propane production. The World Liquid Gas Association itself has shared that by 2050, renewable propane could meet half the world’s demand for propane.

Producing renewable propane is a smart way to use small, distant sources of biogas like those from farms and waste. It helps local growth, and it also collects and uses waste gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. Production costs per unit of energy are relatively low, making it a good option for many uses and providing a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in Canada at a low cost, especially in remote and rural areas.

In addition, renewable propane’s compatibility with existing infrastructure also makes it a practical choice for various applications. As renewable energy technology advances, Superior is well-positioned to meet the evolving energy needs of its customers across these expanding markets.

Sources: Canadian Propane Association, Renewable Propane factsheet