Neste Oil is to build an 800,000 t/a plant to produce NExBTL renewable diesel in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Construction will start immediately and the facility is scheduled to be completed in2011. Total cost of the investment is projected to be EUR 670 million. Neste Oil announced its decision to go ahead with a similar-sizedplant in Singapore in November 2007. Both plants are linked to Neste Oil’s goal of becoming the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel fuel.
NExBTL renewable diesel is based on Neste Oil’s proprietary technology, which can use a wide range of raw materials. In its plantin Finland, the company currently uses a mix of palm oil, rapeseedoil, and animal fat to produce renewable diesel. Offering excellent product quality - even better than fossil diesel - NExBTL can be used in all diesel engines.
Neste Oil has a major R&D program under way to develop new renewable raw materials for fuel production, and is working towards a target of completely non-food raw material use by 2020. Neste Oil is cooperating with over 20 universities and research institutions globally as part of this program, which is divided into six areas, including non-food vegetable oil, wood-based materials, and algae.
NExBTL has excellent environmental properties. It offers 40-60% lower greenhouse gas emissions over its entire lifecycle compared to conventional fossil diesel. NExBTL also reduces tailpipe emissionsand contributes to better air quality.
Excellent location
The plant is to be built in the Maasvlakten area in the western partof the Port of Rotterdam. Its location close to other chemicals plants will offer a number of synergy opportunities with other facilities. Nearby plants will supply Neste Oil with utilities.
“Rotterdam is Europe’s largest center of petroleum products and chemicals production, and offers a wide range of dedicated services, as well as port facilities - all of which makes Rotterdam an ideal location for a NExBTL plant,” according to Neste Oil’s President & CEO Risto Rinne.
The plant will employ around 100 permanent employees when completed.
Working with the same partners
Neste Oil will work with the same key partners in Rotterdam that itselected for its project in Singapore. Technip Italy will act as the project’s main contractor and Air Liquide will supply the hydrogen required by the process.
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am and is filed under Palm Oil Biofuel News.
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