KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), Enilive S.p.A and Euglena Co Ltd will jointly develop a biorefinery within the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), to be operational by the second half of 2028 (2H 2028).
A joint venture company will be established in Malaysia to construct and operate the biorefinery, with Petronas subsidiary Petronas Mobility Lestari Sdn Bhd and Enilive, a company directly controlled by Eni S.p.A., as the largest shareholders.
The biorefinery will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other biofuels such as renewable diesel/ hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) to cater to global aviation and transportation industries' demand by tapping each partner’s expertise, according to a joint statement today.
It said the construction of the biorefinery is expected to begin in 4Q 2024 with the capability to process about 650,000 tonnes of raw materials annually to produce SAF, HVO, and bio-naphtha.
The biorefinery will utilise used vegetable oils, animal fats, waste from vegetable oil processing, and other biomass including microalgae oils, which will be explored in the mid-term.
“Leveraging Pengerang Integrated Complex facilities and utilities, the biorefinery will be strategically located close to feedstock supply sources with access to major international shipping lanes, enhancing its ability to meet global customers’ needs,” said the statement.
It will process feedstock and its pre-treating unit capable to maximise SAF production and HVO.
Petronas vice president (Refining, Trading and Marketing) Ahmad Adly Alias said this milestone will solidify the national oil and gas company’s standing in the biofuels value chain beyond trading, paving the way for the establishment of a holistic bio-based ecosystem in Malaysia that offers a feasible and sustainable solution to reducing carbon emissions.
“Together with our partners Enilive and Euglena, we will leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to advance the global bio-based economy and deliver affordable, accessible cleaner energy solutions to customers worldwide, particularly for Asia Pacific.
“The project will contribute towards Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and see our progress towards Petronas’ net zero carbon emissions 2050 aspiration,” Ahmad Adly added.
Enilive chief executive officer Stefano Ballista said it is committed to creating value in the biofuel business.
“It is a milestone to reach our 2030 targets of biorefining capacity of more than five million tonnes/year and SAF optionality up to two million tonnes/year.
“Since 2014, we have been running biorefineries in Italy and more recently in the United States. With this initiative and in cooperation with Petronas and Euglena, we will enter the Asian market and have a distinctive global footprint,” Ballista said.
Meanwhile, Euglena founder and president Mitsuru Izumo believes the three partners will do their best to construct and operate the biorefinery.
“Euglena will expedite our microalgae research and development activities and supply algae oil to the global market.
“Our biorefinery will meet ASEAN’s growing biofuel demand," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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