NOVELTY - Process (I) for producing a fuel, comprises: (a) providing liquid mixture comprising biomass-derived hydrocarbons; and (b) contacting the mixture with a catalyst (comprising nickel and molybdenum, but not cobalt) in a reactor under conditions of temperature and pressure that cause conversion of greater than 98 vol.% of the mixture to one at least hydrocarbon having 10-30C in length that is suitable for use as a renewable fuel, where the catalyst concurrently performs hydrodesulfurization on the mixture to remove sulfur compounds to a level of less than or equal to 10 ppm (by weight).    USE - The process is useful for producing a fuel.    ADVANTAGE - The process: utilizes the nickel and molybdenum catalyst that allows a lower conversion temperature, when compared to conventional cobalt and molybdenum catalyst; is single step hydro treating process, hence it is efficient in converting biomass-derived hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon compounds; and reduces the rate of coke deposition, hence the catalyst exhibits increased lifespan.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Process (I) for producing a fuel, comprises: (a) providing a liquid mixture comprising biomass-derived hydrocarbons; and (b) contacting the mixture with a catalyst (comprising nickel and molybdenum, but not cobalt) in a reactor under conditions of temperature and pressure that cause conversion of greater than 98 vol.% of the mixture to one at least hydrocarbon having 10-30C in length that is suitable for use as a renewable fuel, where the catalyst concurrently performs hydrodesulfurization on the mixture to remove sulfur compounds to a level of less than or equal to 10 ppm (by weight), and the temperature required for the conversion is at least 36 degrees F that is lower than the temperature that would be required to convert the mixture if the catalyst instead comprised of cobalt and molybdenum, but not nickel. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a process (II) for producing the fuel, comprising: (a1) providing a liquid mixture comprising biomass-derived hydrocarbons and petroleum-derived hydrocarbons; and the step (b) as above per se, where the hydrodesulfurization activity of the catalyst is less inhibited by oxygen-containing compounds present in the mixture than if the catalyst instead comprised cobalt and molybdenum, but not nickel, and the temperature required for the conversion is at least 5 degrees F that is lower than the temperature that would be required to convert the mixture if the catalyst instead comprised of cobalt and molybdenum, but not nickel.