25/04/2013 (Economic Times) - Finnish refiner Neste Oil's renewable fuels unit turned profitable for the first time, helping lift the group's quarterly profit more than expected.

The group's comparable operating profit - excluding inventory or capital gains fluctuations - rose to 135 million euros ($175.70 million) from 79 million euros a year earlier, beating an average estimate of 122 million euros in a Reuters poll.

The renewable fuels unit, which makes diesel from palm oil and animal waste fat, posted comparable operating profit of 26 million euros.