BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Cepsa will build a new second-generation (2G) biofuel plant in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, which will involve an investment of up to 1,000 million euros. This new plant, which will be located in the 'La Rábida' Energy Park, will produce both renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel and will mean the creation of up to 1,600 jobs, direct and indirect, during its construction phase.  2G biofuels will be made from organic waste, such as used cooking oil or agricultural waste, among others. Press release: " PLANTA DE BIOCOMBUSTIBLES DE SEGUNDA GENERACIÓN EN HUELVA CON UNA INVERSIÓN DE HASTA 1000 MILLONES DE EUROS ", 08/03/2023.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eni Sustainable Mobility and PBF Energy have announced they have entered into definitive agreements to partner in a 50-50 joint venture, St. Bernard Renewables LLC (SBR), for the biorefinery currently under construction co-located with PBF’s Chalmette Refinery in Louisiana (US). Upon consummation of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, Eni Sustainable Mobility will contribute capital totaling $835 million plus up to additional $50 million that is subject to the achievement of eventual project milestones and will provide expertise in biorefining operations, supply and marketing. PBF brings its strong industrial know-how in the United States and, as the contributor of the biorefinery, will continue to manage project execution and serve as the operator once construction is complete. The St. Bernard Renewables biorefinery startup is scheduled in the first half of 2023 and the facility is currently ta...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eni, Euglena and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) are jointly studying the possibility of developing and operating a biorefinery in the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), one of the largest integrated refinery and petrochemical developments in Southeast Asia. Press release: " Eni, Euglena and PETRONAS to explore biorefinery opportunity in Malaysia ", 14/12/2022. The three parties are currently carrying out technical and economic feasibility assessments for the proposed project, with the investment decision expected to be reached by 2023 and the plant targeted to be completed by 2025. To be located adjacent to PETRONAS’ existing integrated refinery and petrochemical facilities, the biorefinery will be able to leverage the company’s integrated value chain as well as existing utilities and facilities in PIC. The complex’s strategic location with easy access to major international shipping lanes will also enhance the planned refinery’s ability to...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eni met with the president of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, and the mayors of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, and Collesalvetti, Adelio Antolini, to confirm that the company is investigating the opportunity to build a new biorefinery at Eni's industrial site in Livorno. Press release: " Eni considers the possibility of building a third bio-refinery in Livorno ", 17/10/22. Related posts: " Eni opens its second HVO biorefinery in Italy ", 27/09/19. The feasibility study involves building three new plants for the production of hydrogenated biofuel: a biogenic feedstock pre-treatment unit, a 500,000 tons/year Ecofining™ plant and a plant for the production of hydrogen from methane gas. The construction of the new bio-refinery – located in an industrial area which houses fuel and lubricant production facilities – would maximise synergies from the infrastructure already available and secure the site's future as an employment and production hub.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A team of energy industry companies led by SGP BioEnergy together with the Government of Panama have announced the development of the world's largest biofuels production and distribution hub. Once complete in five years, Biorefineria Ciudad Dorada (Golden City Biorefinery), located in Colon and Balboa (Panama) will be the largest SAF production platform in the world producing 180,000 barrels per day (2.6 billion gallons per year) of advanced biofuels. Press release: " SGP BioEnergy Announces World's Largest Advanced Biofuel Production Facility ", 18/05/2022. Developed in partnership with private landowners, Panama Oil Terminals (POTSA) and the government of Panama, this project will repurpose existing facilities currently processing and storing 70% of the country's bunker fuel oil to the refinement and storage of biofuels derived from purpose grown plant oils, and waste fats and greases. It will immediately reduce the carbon output of ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) has announced a final investment decision to build a biofuels facility with a capacity of 820 ktons/year at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam (the Netherlands) formerly known as the Pernis refinery. Once built, the facility will be among the biggest in Europe to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel made from waste. Press release: “ Shell to build one of Europe’s biggest biofuels facilities ”, 16/09/2021. Figure 1. Pernis refinery Advanced production methods will be used to make the fuels. The facility is expected to use technology to capture carbon emissions from the manufacturing process and store them in an empty gas field beneath the North Sea through the Porthos project. A final investment decision for Porthos is expected next year. A facility of this size could produce enough renewable diesel to avoid 2.8 Mtons of carbon dioxide emissions a year. The Rotterd...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LG Chem will partner with biodiesel company Dansuk Industrial to establish a joint HVO plant, in order to secure biobased materials required for the production of more sustainable products. Press release: “ LG Chem to build Korea's first next-generation Hydro-Treated Vegetable Oil plant with Dansuk Industrial ”, 02/09/2021. Figure 1. LG Chem has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the establishment of an HVO joint venture on September 2nd at the Dansuk Industrial headquarters in Siheungin the presence of executives from both companies The two companies will sign the definitive agreement in the first quarter of next year and aim to complete the construction of the production plant by 2024. This is the first time that an HVO plant will be built in Korea, and this plant is one of 10 new plants at the Daesan Complex recently announced by LG Chem. When a joint venture is established, LG Chem will prepare a base for supplying ra...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. ExxonMobil has announced that its majority-owned affiliate Imperial Oil Ltd. is moving forward with plans to produce renewable diesel at a new complex at its Strathcona refinery in Edmonton (Canada). Press release: “ ExxonMobil affiliate to produce renewable diesel to help reduce transportation emissions in Canada ”, 25/08/2021. Figure 1. ExxonMobil affiliate Imperial intends to produce renewable diesel in Edmonton When construction is complete, the refinery is expected to produce approximately 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel, which could reduce emissions in the Canadian transportation sector by about 3 million metric tons per year. The complex will utilize locally grown plant-based feedstock and hydrogen with carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of the manufacturing process. The renewable diesel production process will utilize blue hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage. Prod...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Marathon’s renewable projects are progressing well. The Dickinson renewable diesel plant reached its design capacity during the second quarter of this year. Detailed engineering and permitting progressed for the conversion of Martinez Refinery to renewable fuels production. “ Marathon Petroleum Corp. Reports Second-Quarter 2021 Results ”, 04/08/2021. Related posts: “ Andeavor to transform the Dickinson Refinery into a renewable diesel biorefinery ”, 03/09/2018. Note: Andeavor was bought by Marathon. Figure 1. Marathon's Dickinson biorefinery Dickinson Renewable Diesel Facility Project: Converted petroleum refinery into renewable diesel facility. Location: Dickinson, North Dakota. Fuel: Renewable diesel and naphtha. Capacity: Approximately 184 million gallons per year. Timeline: Began producing renewable diesel in late 2020 and reached full production capacity in Q2 2021. Converting Martinez to Renewable Fuels Facility Project:...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The Finnish company Fintoil has recently issued a 70 M€ green bond. The project is now fully financed and the company has also secured its working capital financing. Press release: “ Fintoilin Haminan biojalostamon rahoitus valmistui ”, 28/06/2021. Information for investors . Related posts: - “ Fintoil invests more than 100 M€ in a biorefinery in Finland ”, 06/02/2020. - “ The construction of the Fintoil’s CTO biorefinery to begin immediately in the Port of HaminaKotka ”, 16/02/2021. A total 130 M€ in debt and equity financing has been raised for the biorefinery investment making it fully financed. The financing consists of a 70 M€ senior green bond, a 10 M€ SSRCF (Super Senior Revolving Credit Facility) credit facility, a 40 M€ preferred equity instrument and a 11 M€ equity financing. Fintoil is in the process of building the world's third largest crude tall oil refinery in the port area of ​​Hamina. The construction work shoul...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Neste and LyondellBasell have announced a long-term commercial agreement under which LyondellBasell will source Neste RE, a feedstock produced from biobased sources, such as waste and residue oils and fats. Press release: “ Neste and LyondellBasell agree on long-term commercial relationship to make polymers and chemicals from renewable feedstock more widely available to global brands ”, 17/06/2021. Related post: - “ LyondellBasell and Neste announce commercial-scale production of biobased PP and LDPE ”, 20/06/2019. - “ Neste RE – Neste launches a 100% renewable and recycled raw material for plastics and chemicals production ”, 01/12/2020. Figure 1. LyondellBasell’s site in Wesseling (taken from the press release) The feedstock will be processed through the cracker at LyondellBasell’s Wesseling, (Germany) plant into polymers and sold under the CirculenRenew brand name. In April 2021, LyondellBasell launched the Circulen family of...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. NextChem has been awarded a contract by TotalEnergies to carry out a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and supply its technological know-how to implement a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant in Grandpuits (France), capable of processing 400 ktons per year. Press release: “ Maire Tecnimont Group’s Nextchem awarded by TotalEnergies an engineering contract for a Biojet plant in France ”, 03/06/2021. Related posts: - “ Total to transform its Grandpuits refinery into a platform for advanced biofuels and bioplastics production ”, 01/10/2020. - “ Total starts production of sustainable aviation fuel in France ”, 12/04/2021. The project is part of the plan to convert the Grandpuits Refinery into a zero-crude platform (“Projet Galaxie”), where NextChem is already engineering Europe’s first plant to produce compostable and biodegradable plastics, with a capacity of 100 ktons/year. The plant, due to be operational in 2024, will produce biojet by trea...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Mitsui Chemicals , Neste and Toyota Tsusho have joined forces to enable Japan’s first industrial-scale production of renewable plastics and chemicals from 100% biobased hydrocarbons. Press release: “ Neste, Mitsui Chemicals and Toyota Tsusho collaborate to start Japan'sfirst production of renewable plastics from 100% bio-based hydrocarbons ”, 20/05/2021. Related post: “ Neste RE – Neste launches a 100% renewable and recycled raw material for plastics and chemicals production ”, 01/12/2020. In this collaboration, Mitsui Chemicals will use Neste RE, 100% biobased hydrocarbons produced by Neste, to replace a part of the fossil feedstock in the production of a variety of plastics and chemicals at its crackers within Osaka Works during 2021. In doing so, Mitsui Chemicals will become Japan’s first company to use biobased feedstock in its crackers. The introduction of Neste-produced biobased hydrocarbons as feedstock will allow Mitsui ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Seaboard Energy has chosen Haldor Topsoe ’s HydroFlex renewable fuel technology to produce renewable diesel from tallow and soybean oil. Press release: “ Seaboard Energy has chosen Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ renewable fuel technology to produce renewable diesel from tallow and soybean oil .”, 14/05/2021. Related posts: - “ CVR Energy to revamp existing hydrocracker for renewable diesel production with Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology ”, 03/02/2021. - “ Topsoe’s HydroFlex and H2bridge technologies selected by Tidewater for its renewable diesel biorefinery in Canada ”, 21/04/2021. RENEWABLE DIESEL . The 6,500 barrels-per-day renewable diesel unit is currently under construction at Seaboard Energy’s site in Hugoton (Kansas, USA) and is scheduled for operation at the end of 2021. Topsoe is the licensor and supplier of basic engineering, proprietary equipment, catalyst, and technical services. It will also provide H2bridge hydrogen te...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Neste will modify its existing renewables production capacity in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) to enable production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Currently, the facility produces mainly Neste MY Renewable Diesel. Press release: “ Neste to enable production of up to 500,000 tons/a of Sustainable Aviation Fuel at its Rotterdam renewable products refinery ”, 22/04/2021. Related posts: - “ Neste holds foundation stone ceremony to officially mark the beginning of the extension of its biorefinery in Singapore ”, 21/07/2020. - “ Neste selects Rotterdam for its next renewable products refinery ”, 16/03/2021. Figure 1. Neste´s Rotterdam Biorefinery The modifications to the biorefinery, an investment of approximately 190 M€, will enable Neste to optionally produce up to 500 ktons/year of SAF as part of the existing capacity. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Together with the ongoing Singapore biorefinery ex...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Aemetis has selected Axens Vegan hydroprocessing technology for its “Carbon Zero 1” production plant in Riverbank (California, USA). Press release: “ Aemetis Selects Axens Vegan® Technology for its Carbon Zero Project in Riverbank, California for the production of Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel ”, 22/04/2021. The Aemetis “Carbon Zero 1” plant has a planned capacity of 45 MGal/year and will be located at the 142-acre Riverbank Industrial Complex (a former US Army ammunitions plant in Riverbank). The Axens scope will include technology license, basic engineering, catalyst supply, and proprietary equipment for the conversion of non-edible oils along with renewable cellulosic hydrogen (hydrogen from waste orchard wood) to produce a flexible mix of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel fuel. Aemetis recently announced a 2,000 M$ bid process to airlines and fuel blenders for the Carbon Zero 1 plant and ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. (Tidewater) will utilize Topsoe ’s HydroFlex and H2bridge technologies to produce approximately 3,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel. Press releases: - “ Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. Provides an update on renewable energy initiatives ”, 11/03/2021. - “ Tidewater chooses Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ and H2bridge™ technologies for renewable diesel production ”, 15/04/2021. Related posts: - “ KLM, SkyNRG and SHV to build the first European dedicated biorefinery for sustainable aviation fuel ”, 29/05/2019. - “ Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology selected by GCEH for its renewable diesel biorefinery in Bakersfield ”, 22/06/2020. - “ CVR Energy to revamp existing hydrocracker for renewable diesel production with Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology ”, 03/02/2021. Figure 1. Topsoe’s HydroFlex and H2bridge technologies selected by Tidewater for its renewable diesel biorefinery in Canada (taken...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA. Según S&P Global Platts, el mes pasado, la empresa estatal de energía Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection & New Materials puso en marcha una planta de HVO con una capacidad de 400 ktons/año en la provincia de Rizhao (Shandong, China). La biorrefinería utiliza aceite de cocina usado (UCO) y efluente de fábrica de aceite de palma (POME) como materias primas. Noticia (S&P Global Platts): “ China reinforces position in HVO market with launch of new 400,000 mt/year plant ”, 24/03/2021. Hidrotratamiento (HVO) – Ventajas sobre el biodiesel convencional y propiedades . Entradas sobre HVO . Figura 1. Beijing Sanju, plantas de HVO actuales y previstas (fuente: S&P Global Platts Analytics) La nueva planta de HVO (Shandong Sanju Bioenergy) fue el resultado de un acuerdo de cooperación (04/07/2020) entre Beijing Sanju (propietario principal, inversor y proveedor de tecnología), Hainan Qilu Development (inversor y filial de Qilu Transp...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. According to S&P Global Platts, last month, State-owned energy company Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection & New Materials launched a 400 ktons/year capacity HVO plant in Rizhao (Shandong, China) province. The biorefinery utilizes used cooking oil (UCO) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) as feedstocks. News (S&P Global Platts): “ China reinforces position in HVO market with launch of new 400,000 mt/year plant ”, 24/03/2021. Hydrotreating (HVO) – Concepts, feedstocks and specifications . HVO posts. Figure 1. Beijing Sanju, current and planned HVO plants (source: S&P Global Platts Analytics) The new HVO plant (Shandong Sanju Bioenergy) was the result of a cooperation agreement (07/04/2020) between Beijing Sanju (primary owner, investor and tech provider), Hainan Qilu Development (investor and subsidiary of Qilu Transportation Development Group) and the Juxian County Government (minority owner, fixed assets). Shandong Sanju Bio...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Total has begun producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its La Mède biorefinery in southern France and its Oudalle facility near Le Havre. The biojet fuel, made from used cooking oil, will be delivered to French airports starting in April 2021. Press release: “ Total Begins Producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in France ”, 08/04/2021. Related posts: - “ Total ready to start-up its HVO biorefinery in La Mède ”, 05/06/2019. - “ Total is considering the conversion of its oil refinery in Grandpuits into an HVO biorefinery ”, 26/06/2020. Figure 1. Total starts production of sustainable aviation fuel in France Total will also be able to produce SAF as from 2024 at its zero-crude Grandpuits platform, southeast of Paris. All of these sustainable aviation fuels will be made from animal fat, used cooking oil and other waste and residue sourced from the circular economy. Total will not use vegetable oils as feedstock. Total will be in a pos...