BioRefineries Blog

Versión en Español BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS Concept - The oils platform covers triglycerides that can be obtained from terrestrial oil plants (palm, coconut, rape seed, sunflower, soybean), aquatic biomass (microalgae), animal fats, industrial by-products (tall oil) and used oils (industrial and household). - Oils and fats are esters composed of molecules known as triglycerides, which are esters composed of three fatty acid units linked to glycerol. - Fatty acids gives the functionality to oil and fats. Chemically, they can be divided into four main types: saturated, cis-monounsaturated, cis-polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids. In broad terms, saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids are solid at room temperature while the cis-unsaturated are liquid at room temperature. Applications - Biofuels. The primary feedstocks currently used to make biofuels are crude palm oil, rapeseed oil and soybean oil. But the utilization of industrial by-products and used oils is gaining ground. The ...

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. 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 IN BRIEF. Arkema is on track to begin production of the monomer Amino 11 and the polymer Rilsan (polyamide 11) at the new plant on Jurong Island (Singapore) in the first half of next year. This plant, for which production will be 100%-derived from castor beans, represents a 50% increase in Arkema’s global polyamide 11 capacity. Press release: “ Arkema to start up new bio-based polyamide 11 plant in Singapore in the first half of 2022 ”, 22/04/2021. Integrated bio-factory dedicated to high performance polymers . Figure 1. Arkema to begin production at its new biobased polyamide 11 biorefinery in the first half of 2022 When complete, the facility will represent the biggest integrated bio-factory in the world dedicated to high performance polymers. The total investment in the region, which also includes downstream polymer capacities in China, is approximately 450 M€. To finance this new plant in Singapore, Arkema successfully placed its first ev...

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...

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. MOL Group has recently started biofuel production at its Danube Refinery (Százhalombatta, near Budapest, Hungary). Biobased feedstocks (vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats) are co-processed with fossil components during fuel production to create a more sustainable diesel. Press release: “ MOL Group starts innovative biofuel production at Danube refinery ”, 15/03/2021. HVO . During the last years, MOL Group has been purchasing more than 500.000 tons of biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel) for blending. Following several years of research and development, it has stepped up the value chain and has become a biofuel producer, through the realization of an investment in the Danube Refinery. MOL started co-processing as an R&D project in 2012 based on the research results of Pannon University. Types and quality requirements of processable raw materials were determined and the investment was launched in 2018. The trial operation of...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. YPFB (Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos) has announced its plans to produce renewable diesel in Bolivia with the construction of a new unit located at the Guillermo Elder Bell refinery in Santa Cruz. Press release: “ Bolivia, pionera en la producción de diésel renovable en américa latina ”, 03/03/2021. RENEWABLE DIESEL . Figure 1. YPFB to build a renewable diesel biorefinery in Bolivia The plant, which will require an investment of 250 M$, will produce approximately 9,000 barrels of renewable diesel per day, transforming oils (crude and used) and tallow. During the third quarter of this year, a public tender will be launched to find the company that will carry out the engineering, purchase and construction of this new plant that will start operating in the last quarter of 2024. YPFB has signed confidentiality agreements with leading companies worldwide in the development of this type of technology (Axens, UOP and Haldor T...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Agroforestry and research company Investancia has signed a 30-year offtake deal with ECB Group that will see 300,000 tons of pongamia oil produced annually by 2030. Full press release provided by Christian Nielsen (Head of Sales & Marketing at Investancia) on 23/02/2021. Related posts: - “ ECB Group will build a renewable diesel biorefinery in Paraguay ”, 27/02/2019. - “ Acciona selected to build the HVO plant of ECB in Paraguay ”, 28/11/2019. - “ ECB Group closes advanced biofuel offtake agreement with bp ”, 19/01/2021. Figure 1. Pongamia The Investancia tree propagation and R&D centre, located near Carmelo Peralta, Alto Paraguay, is the world’s largest dedicated elite pongamia tree production site. Its current annual production capacity of 1 million trees will scale over the next 10 years to a total of 50 million trees, planted across 125,000 hectares. A report by MEO Carbon Solutions (part of ISCC) found that pongamia oil has...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA BREVE. Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. (a través de su filial NextChem) y Essential Energy USA Corp (uno de los principales productores de biocombustibles en Sudamérica) han firmado un contrato de Diseño de Ingeniería Front-End y un Acuerdo de Entendimiento para la construcción de una nueva biorrefinería en Sudamérica para la producción de diésel renovable. Nota de prensa: “ Agreement between Maire Tecnimont Group and Essential Energy USA Corp for a new renewable diesel biorefinery in South America ”, 15/02/2021. Entradas relacionadas: HVO . La ejecución del proyecto está sujeta a la Decisión de Inversión Final de Essential Energy USA Corp. La biorrefinería producirá 200 kton/año de diesel renovable de alta calidad a partir de materias primas biobasadas que no compitan con el canal alimentario. NextChem será el contratista exclusivo de EPC. Se espera que el proyecto esté operativo en 2023.

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. (through its subsidiary NextChem) and Essential Energy USA Corp (one of the leading biofuels producers in South America) have signed a Front-End Engineering Design contract as well as a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new biorefinery in South America for the production of renewable diesel. Press release: “ Agreement between Maire Tecnimont Group and Essential Energy USA Corp for a new renewable diesel biorefinery in South America ”, 15/02/2021. Related posts: HVO . The project execution is subject to the Final Investment Decision of Essential Energy USA Corp. The biorefinery will produce 200 ktons/year of high-quality renewable diesel from biobased feedstocks non in competition with food. NextChem will be the exclusive EPC contractor. The project is expected to be operational in 2023.

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Fintoil Oy has announced that it has decided to go ahead and invest around 100 M€ in the construction of a new crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery in the Port of HaminaKotka (Finland). Press release: “ Fintoil gets green light for crude tall oil biorefinery in the Port of HaminaKotka ”, 09/02/2021. Related post: “ Fintoil invests more than 100 M€ in a biorefinery in Finland ”, 06/02/2020. Figure 1. View of the Port of HaminaKotka Fintoil is owned by its key personnel and an investor group led by Finland-headed financial services and investment company Taaleri Group that also has a stake in the company. The CTO biorefinery will be located in the Port of HaminaKotka (the largest universal port in Finland) with construction to begin imminently. First announced a year ago, the final investment decision brings long-awaited positive news. The 200 ktons/year plant has recently been granted environmental and construction permits. Once operational, est...