Catalytic deoxygenation of neat stearic acid was studied at 360 degrees C under 10 bar argon or 5 vol % hydrogen in argon in a fixed-bed reactor (down flow) using mesoporous-supported Pd/C (Sibunit) beads as a catalyst. The results showed stable catalyst performance, giving about 15% conversion level of stearic acid. The main liquid-phase product was heptadecane, while the main gaseous products were CO and CO2.