BioRefineries Blog

Construction has been initiated on a 10.5 million gallon (approximately, 40 Ml) per year biocrude production facility located in Port-Cartier (Quebec). The beginning of the works for the Cote Nord project, a biorefinery that will produce pyrolysis oil from forest residues, was announced by Ensyn on July 13 th (see press release ). The project is being developed by Ensyn, Arbec Forest Products Inc . and Groupe Rémabec and is located adjacent to an Arbec’s sawmill on the north shore of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The facility is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2017 and is the first of several plants being developed by Ensyn to expand the production of biocrude for energy applications. The Government of Canada suppors the project through a $27-million investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and $17.5 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program . For its part, the Government of Quebec contributes $32 milli...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA BREVE. Black Bear Carbon (BBC) tiene la intención de construir una fábrica en el parque industrial de Chemelot (Geleen) para transformar granulado de caucho de neumáticos de automóviles y camiones en aceite, gas y negro de humo. La fábrica de Chemelot operará bajo el nombre de Recovered Carbon Black Nederland (RCBNL) como filial de Black Bear Carbon. Nota de prensa: “ Black Bear Carbon set to develop new factory at Chemelot Industrial Park in the Netherlands ”, 10/03/2021. Figura 1. Black Bear Carbon tiene la intención de construir una planta de reciclaje de neumáticos en el Parque Industrial Chemelot (tomada de la nota de prensa) Su fábrica anterior en Nederweert (empresa conjunta con el reciclador de neumáticos Kargro) fue desmantelada después de un incendio en febrero de 2019. A finales de 2019, BBC anunció que su nueva fábrica se iba a instalar en Rotterdam. En el transcurso de 2020, la ejecución de la RCBNL se complicó debido a una ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BASF , Quantafuel and REMONDIS have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly evaluate a cooperation in chemical recycling including a joint investment into a pyrolysis plant for plastic waste. Press release: “ BASF, Quantafuel and REMONDIS want to cooperate on chemical recycling of plastic waste ”, 21/04/2021. Figure 1. BASF’s ChemCycling project (taken from the press release) It is intended that REMONDIS supplies suitable plastic waste to the plant and BASF uses the resulting pyrolysis oil as feedstock in its production Verbund as part of its ChemCycling project. Quantafuel intends to provide the technology and to operate the plant. This company is a specialist for the pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste and the purification of the resulting pyrolysis oil. The location of the pyrolysis plant will be evaluated together. To maximize a circular economy for plastics, the parties will identify which of the waste plastics provide...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Steeper Energy has recently constructed and commissioned its Advanced Biofuels Centre (ABC) in Calgary (Alberta, Canada). Related posts: - “ Steeper Energy is partnering with Silva Green Fuel to construct an advanced biofuels plant at demo scale in Norway ”, 16/12/2017. - “ Steeper Energy will build a demo plant in Calgary to transform biowastes into advanced fuels ”, 07/07/2020. Video. Advanced Biofuels Centre This highly specialized laboratory and upgrader is enhancing Steeper’s expertise and patent portfolio for the upgrading of its Hydrofaction® Oil to ASTM specified drop-in biofuels and value-added biochemicals. ABC aims to develop economic pathways to 100% renewable fuels and chemicals and deliver solutions for Project Licensees to maximize returns.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Alder Fuels has selected BTG Bioliquids to be part of the first Alder Greencrude (AGC) processing facility in the United States Southeast. Press release: " BTG Bioliquids Fast Pyrolysis Technology Chosen by Alder Fuels as Part of Pioneering Southeast Facility ", 31/10/2022. Related posts:  - " Biorefinery platforms – Pyrolysis oil / Biobased oil / Biobased crude ", 04/01/2022. - " Fast pyrolysis plants ", 17/07/2019. - " Pyrocell commences pyrolysis oil production in Sweden ", 27/09/2021. The initial step in the fuel production process is the conversion of sustainable biomass residues into fast pyrolysis bio-oil. As one of the world’s leading fast pyrolysis technology providers, BTG Bioliquids develops production plants through their engineering, procurement, and construction partner, TechnipEnergies. These plants aim to convert non-food, diverse, and sustainable biomass sources into fast pyrolysis bio-oil that can he...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Black Bear Carbon (BBC) intends to build a factory at the Chemelot industrial park (Geleen) to transform rubber granulate from car and truck tires into oil, gas and carbon black. The factory at Chemelot will operate under the name Recovered Carbon Black Nederland (RCBNL) as a 100% subsidiary of Black Bear Carbon. Press release: “ Black Bear Carbon set to develop new factory at Chemelot Industrial Park in the Netherlands ”, 10/03/2021. Figure 1. Black Bear Carbon intends to build a tyre recycling plant at Chemelot Industrial Park (taken from the press release) Its previous factory in Nederweert (joint venture with tire recycler Kargro) was dismantled after a fire in February 2019. At the end of 2019, BBC announced that its new factory was going to Rotterdam. In the course of 2020, timely realization of RCBNL turned out to be difficult to achieve due to the issue regarding nitrogen deposition rights. In close collaboration with Chem...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The PYRENA-PYPO pilot plant has arrived at Biorizon headquarters at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands). With this highly advanced pyrolysis equipment, TNO's Energy Transition Unit will produce samples of bio-aromatics that will be tested in applications such as bitumen, rubber, marine fuels and resins.  Press release: “ TNO brings PYRENA-PYPO pyrolysis equipment to Green Chemistry Campus’ demo facility ”, 8/10/2020.  Related posts:  - “ Biorizon raises 10 M€ for the development of bio-aromatics ”, 1/12/2017.  - “ VITO will build a pilot plant of bio-aromatics from lignin through the LignoValue Pilot project ”, 30/7/2018.  - “ LignoValue Pilot project partners select the technology to scale up bio-aromatics production ”, 2/7/2019.  - “ TNO acquires the bio-aromatics patent portfolio of Avantium ”, 25/2/2020.  Figure 1. The PYRENA-PYPO pilot plant has arrived at Biorizon head...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Michelin is launching construction on its first tire recycling plant in collaboration with Enviro , a Swedish company that has developed a patented technology to recover carbon black, oil, steel and gas from end-of-life tires. Press releases: - “ Michelin launches construction on its first tire recycling plant in the world ”, 09/02/2021. - “ Enviro announces further details of partnership agreements with Michelin ”, 16/02/2021. Figure 1. Enviro process The plant, which will be based on Enviro’s patented pyrolysis technology, will be located in Chile and will have an annual recycling capacity of 25,000-30,000 tons. Work will begin in 2021, with production scheduled to get underway in 2023. More than 30 M$ will be invested in this new-generation end-of-life tire processing plant. The parties intend to form a joint venture, which will own the facility. This joint venture will be 10% owned by Enviro and 90% owned by Michelin. Michelin will ap...

Type of post: NEWS. The information of this post complements the news on the construction of the pyrolysis plant of Green Fuel Nordic Oy in Lieksa (Finland) reported by the Blog in late March. The announcement of the Finnish company did not unveil the specific pyrolysis technology provider. Some days later, BTG-BTL issued a press release confirming that it will be the supplier of the commercial production facility of this project. Press release: “ Mega-order from Finland for Dutch energy technology ”, 2/4/2019. Related post: “ The construction of the pyrolysis plant of Green Fuel Nordic Oy in Lieksa receives green light ”, 25/3/2019. This is a summary of the new data disclosed in the press release of BTG-BTL : - The initial investment of 25 M€ will be used for the purchase of a single production facility, but Green Fuel Nordic intends to purchase three more such facilities, bringing the total order to 100 M€. - The components of the prefab facilities will first be ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Production is now underway at Pyrocell 's plant in Gävle (Sweden). The new plant converts sawdust into bio-oil. Press release: “ Pyrocell commences production ”, 20/09/2021. Related posts: - “ BTG-BTL and TechnipFMC to build a pyrolysis plant in Sweden for Pyrocell ”, 16/09/2019. - “ Pyrocell holds the groundbreaking ceremony marking construction start of Sweden's first biofuels pyrolysis plant ”, 24/03/2020. Figure 1. Pyrocell commences pyrolysis oil production in Sweden Pyrocell, which is jointly owned by Setra and Preem, was formed in 2018 based on the business concept of producing bio-oil from sawdust. Pyrocell's plant is located next to Setra Kastet sawmill in Gävle. There, sawdust, which is a residual product in Setra's industrial process, is converted into non-fossil pyrolysis oil. The pyrolysis oil is then refined into renewable diesel and petrol at Preem's refinery in Lysekil. The plant will produce arou...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The fast pyrolysis plant of Green Fuel Nordic Oy in Lieksa has started bio-oil production and is set to begin deliveries to its customers.  Press release: “ Lieksa refinery begins bio-oil deliveries to customers ”, 04/12/2020.  Related posts:  - “ The construction of the pyrolysis plant of Green Fuel Nordic Oy in Lieksa receives green light ”, 25/03/2019.  - “ BTG-BTL to supply technology for Green Fuel Nordic Oy pyrolysis plant ”, 16/04/2019.  Figure 1. Green Fuel Nordic biorefinery in Lieksa (photo: Green Fuel Nordic)   Bio-oil production started on 2nd December, following equipment installations and testing in Lieksa in the summer and autumn of this year. The first delivery from the biorefinery is heading to Joensuu (Finland). The recipient of the Lieksa bio-oil is the Savon Voima heating plant in Joensuu. The increasing use of bio-based liquid fuels supports Savon Voima’s strategy to produce...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Shell Ventures BV and BlueAlp Holding BV have announced a strategic partnership to develop, scale and deploy BlueAlp’s pyrolysis technology. Press release: “ Shell invests in plastics waste-to-chemicals technology company BlueAlp ”, 09/09/2021. The technology transforms plastic waste which is tough to recycle into a recycled feedstock (pyrolysis oil) that can be used to make sustainable chemicals. Shell has taken a 21.25% equity stake in BlueAlp as part of the agreement. BlueAlp’s other shareholders include Dutch family owned Mourik, Rumali and Den Hartog companies and the Belgium Renasci company. Under the agreement, Shell and BlueAlp will form a joint-venture company to build two new conversion units in The Netherlands, which are forecast to convert more than 30 ktons of plastic waste per year. The units are planned to be operational in 2023 and will supply 100% of their pyrolysis oil as feedstock to Shell’s Moerdijk and Rhinela...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Agilyx and NextChem have entered into an agreement to support the development of advanced chemical recycling facilities globally. This agreement combines Agilyx’ s pyrolysis technology with NextChem’s expertise in licensing, implementation and EPC services for plastics recycling solutions. Press release: “ Maire Tecnimont Group’s Nextchem and Agilyx sign an agreement for the global deployment of chemical recycling projects based on pyrolysis ”, 15/03/2021. PLASTIC RECYCLING . Figure 1. Agilyx’s polystyrene advanced recycling facility (Tigard, Oregon, USA) Under the agreement, NextChem will act as a technology and EPC partner for Agilyx. The aim of this partnership is to accelerate the implementation of chemical recycling facilities globally, utilizing Agilyx advanced pyrolysis technology in the conversion of mixed waste plastic into circular olefins and circular fuels. With a longstanding expertise in the advanced recycling of p...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Licella Holdings has been awarded 500,000 Australian dollars of the Queensland Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund for a research and feasibility strudy related to a future biorefinery which turns sugarcane waste into sustainable fuel. The W2B Fund provides 5 million Australian dollars to boost the development of waste to biofutures projects in Queensland. Queensland Government media statement: “ Grant supports sugarcane waste research for Burdekin biorefinery ”, 27/2/2020. Figure 1. Licella receives grant from the Queensland Waste to Biofutures Fund for sugarcane waste valorization project Licella will work with the University of Queensland , Burdekin Renewable Fuels and other project partners to test the conversion of sugar cane wastes and residues, utilising its Cat-HTR technology , into biofuels with the potential for marine and aviation uses. If the outcome of the feasibility project is positive, a full-scale biorefi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LyondellBasell has started the commercial production of virgin quality polymers from raw materials derived from plastic waste at its Wesseling site in Germany. Press release: “ LyondellBasell starts commercial production of polymers using raw material derived from plastic waste .”, 06/05/2021. Related posts: - “ LyondellBasell and Neste announce commercial-scale production of biobased PP and LDPE ”, 20/06/2019. - “ Chain of custody and blockchain in the bioeconomy and the circular economy – List of examples ”, 19/11/2020. Figure 1. First delivery of pyrolysis oil for polymer production at the LyondellBasell site in Wesseling (taken from the press release) LyondellBasell commissioned a pilot plant last year in Ferrara (Italy) to further develop its molecular recycling technology where plastic waste is converted into raw materials for the production of new plastics. Produced by the thermal conversion of plastic waste, pyrolysis oil...

Some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Centre for Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (CQAB, acronym in Spanish) of the University of Alcalá (Madrid) and have an interesting talk with Sergio González Egido (Project Manager at the Chair on Environment) about the activities of the Group of Applied Research in Biorefinery and the situation of the biorefining sector in Spain. Currently, this group works in several projects using different processes of the thermochemical platform (thermal and microwave) to transform diverse biomass feedstocks into 2G biofuels and bioproducts. In this post, we are going to know more about the group, the biorefinery model that they are developing and one of the projects that they are working in. The Group of Applied Research in Biorefinery The group is formed by the merger of two units of applied research very active and with an expertise gained throughout more than 15 years: the CQAB and the Chair on Environment. It is leaded by the r...

SynSel Energy, Inc. (SynSel) is a developer and integrator of biorefining processes, whose vision is becoming a leading producer of 2G drop-in biofuels using environmentally friendly and sustainable technology. It is based in Elmhurst (Illinois) and operates in USA and Canada. The company is particularly focused on revitalizing communities devastated by the closure of pulp and paper mills, creating jobs and strengthening energy security. According to its page web, they have projects under development or consideration in the following locations: Grand Rapids (Minnesota, USA), Eureka (California, USA), Louisville (Mississippi, USA), Lumberton (Mississippi, USA), Missoula (Montana, USA), Ontonagon (Michigan, USA) and Portage-du-Fort (Quebec, Canada). A Michigan on-line publication reported on 17 th July that Ontanogon and Lumberton have been selected as initial sites in USA for the construction of advanced biofuels plants (see news ). In Ontonagon, the facility would be buil...

Versión en Español BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS Concept - Pyrolysis oil, also known as bio-oil or biobased oil, results from the thermochemical decomposition of solid biomass in the absence of oxygen in order to avoid combustion. - The composition and characteristics of the pyrolysis oil may vary depending on several factors: feedstock, type of reactor, operating conditions… But, it is possible to highlight some common features: dark red-brown to dark green appearance and characteristic acrid smoke odor; low viscosity; highly corrosive due to its low pH; unstable due to the polymerization of various compounds (ageing phenomenon that causes an increase in viscosity and a decrease in volatility); miscible with polar solvents but totally immiscible with fossil oil due to its polar nature; low content in cetanes (between 10 and 25). - As it is the direct result of the thermal decomposition of biomass, its elemental analysis is much more similar to it than to fossil oil. It is composed of comple...