Enerfuel's 7.5 MMgy biodiesel plant in Portugal begins operations
Photo: BDI-BioEnergy Int'l AG
July 19, 2013
BY Ron Kotrba
After years in the works, Enerfuel S.A.’s 25,000 ton (7.5 MMgy) multifeedstock biodiesel plant in Sines, Portugal, has officially begun production. Enerfuel first commissioned Austria-based BDI-BioEnergy International AG to carry out the overall planning, delivery and installation of the biodiesel facility in 2006, which cost about €10 million. After installation was completed, Enerfuel halted the project in 2008. In September 2012, BDI was commissioned by Enerfuel to restart and finalize the project, a job worth another €3 million to BDI. Enerfuel brought in Portuguese oil company GALP as a partner.
The plant was officially handed over in the company of senior representatives of the corporate customers and the Portuguese Minister of Economic Affairs, who emphasized the importance of this renewable energy project for Portugal in his speech at the inauguration ceremony.
The newly operational biodiesel refinery is using animal fats and used cooking oil as biodiesel feedstock.
Advertisement
“Following the positive conclusion of the performance test, we are delighted to hand the plant over to a satisfied customer, particularly in view of the fact that it is also the first multifeedstock biodiesel plant to come into operation in Portugal, albeit after some delay,” said Edgar Ahn, chief science officer and member of BDI’s management board. “The active involvement of the Portuguese mineral oil company GALP in this project is confirmation to us that well-known fuel manufacturers have confidence in the high quality of our unique biodiesel production technology.”
Advertisement
Related Stories
BIO, in partnership with Kearney, a global management consulting firm, on March 24 released a report showing the U.S. bioeconomy currently contributes $210 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy, excluding healthcare.
Airbus is taking a significant step toward scaling the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by testing a new “Book and Claim” approach. This initiative aims to boost both supply and demand for SAF worldwide.
Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, has announced the expansion of its blended SAF offering at six new locations across Europe following multiple blended SAF supply agreements.
China’s exports of used cooking oil (UCO) reached a record high in 2024 but fell sharply in December after the Chinese government eliminated the 13% export tax rebate for UCO, according to a report filed with the USDA.
Ash Creek Renewables, a portfolio company of Tailwater Capital LLC, on March 20 announced it has secured exclusive licensing rights from Montana State University for a new high-performance camelina seed variety.
Upcoming Events
