SOURCE: Google Maps
June 12, 2024
BY Erin Voegele
Erin Voegele
Romania-based oil company OMV Petrom on June 11 announced it will move forward with plans to convert its Petrobrazi refinery in Brazi, Romina, to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project also includes the development of two green hydrogen facilities that will be used in the production of biofuels.
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The company said it will invest approximately EUR 560 million in the renewable diesel and SAF conversion project. Once complete, the facility will have the capacity to produce 250,000 metric tons per year of SAF and renewable diesel, along with the renewable coproducts naphtha and LPG.
OMV Petrom said the biorefinery will be capable of adjusting its products mix according to market demand and the available feedstock mix. The facility is expected to consume approximately 11,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually. Most of that volume will be supplied by the two new green hydrogen production units planned for development at the project site.
According to the company, total investment in the green hydrogen facilities is estimated at EUR 190 million. The two units will have a total capacity of 55 megawatts (MW), with a total annual production of green hydrogen estimated at 8,000 metric tons.
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The biorefinery complex is currently expected to be operational in 2028. The integration of green hydrogen at the biorefinery is expected to enable the production of biobased fuels that achieve at least a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to conventional fossil fuels.
In order to ensures access to biobased feedstock, OMV Petrom also announced it has acquired a 50% stake in Respiră Verde, a leader in the collection of used cooking oil in Romania. Respiră Verde collects up to 10,000 metric tons per year of used edible oil per year from economic agents in fields such as the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants) and retail.
A full copy of OMV Petrom’s announcement is available on the company’s website.
The Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition and Green Marine are partnering to accelerating adoption of sustainable biofuels to improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions in Michigan and across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reduced its 2025 forecasts for renewable diesel and biodiesel in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released April 10. The outlook for “other biofuel” production, which includes SAF, was raised.
FutureFuel Corp. on March 26 announced the restart of its 59 MMgy biodiesel plant in Batesville, Arkansas. The company’s annual report, released April 4, indicates biodiesel production was down 24% last year when compared to 2023.
Lawmakers in Wisconsin on April 3 announced their intent to introduce legislation that would create a $1.50 per gallon production tax credit for SAF. The bill is currently circulating for co-sponsorship support and will be formally introduced soon.
Neste has started producing SAF at its renewable products refinery in Rotterdam. The refinery has been modified to enable Neste to produce up to 500,000 tons of SAF per year. Neste’s global SAF production capacity is now 1.5 million tons.