04-07-2019
Total starts up the La Mède Biorefinery
Total has started up production at the La Mède biorefinery in southeastern France, with the first batches of biofuel coming off the line. It is the final step in converting a former oil refinery into a new energies complex. Launched in 2015, the project represents a capital expenditure of €275 million.
The La Mède complex now encompasses:
* A biorefinery with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes of biofuel per year.
* An 8-megawatt solar farm that can supply 13,000 people.
* A unit to produce 50,000 cubic meters per year of AdBlue®, an additive that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions from trucks.
* A logistics and storage hub with a capacity of 1.3 million cubic meters per year.
* A training center offering real facilities and able to host 2,500 learners a year.
Together, these new activities have maintained 250 direct jobs at La Mède.
As part of the site transformation, 65% of the orders to remodel the complex were awarded to local businesses, representing 800 jobs and €140 million in revenue. Total also invested €5 million in the economic development of the Fos-Etang de Berre region, notably by supporting initiatives to create jobs, attract industrial projects and support contractors. That’s five times as much as a typical revitalization agreement.
The biorefinery can produce 500,000 tonnes of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a premium biofuel. La Mède will produce both biodiesel and biojet fuel for the aviation industry. It was specifically designed to process all types of oil. Its biofuels will be made:
* 60 to 70% from 100% sustainable vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm, sunflower, etc.).
* 30 to 40% from treated waste (animal fats, cooking oil, residues, etc.) to promote a circular economy.
As part of an agreement with the Government in May 2018, Total has pledged to process no more than 300,000 tonnes of palm oil per year — less than 50% of the total volume of raw materials needed — and at least 50,000 tonnes of French-grown rapeseed, creating another market for domestic agriculture.
All the oils processed will be certified sustainable to European Union standards. In addition, as part of its palm oil procurement process, Total is taking an extra step by introducing strengthened control of sustainability and respect for Human Rights (see below).
“I’d like to thank the teams for all their hard work these last four years to convert our La Mède refinery,” said Bernard Pinatel, President, Refining & Chemicals. “Biofuels are fully renewable and an immediately available solution to cut carbon emissions from ground and air transportation. When produced from sustainable raw materials, as at La Mède, they emit over 50% less carbon than fossil fuels. Our biorefinery will allow us to make biofuels in France that were previously imported.”
News Category:
-
Beyond processbook & PI vision: Exploring today’s industrial analytics tools
(Webinar) - In the Manufacturing 4.0 era, industrial organizations have more data at their fingertips than ever, offering the promise of higher production rates, more ...
04-06-2024
-
MOL inaugurates its polyol complex in Tiszaújváros
MOL's EUR 1.3 billion polyol complex in Tiszaújváros, boasting a capacity of around 200,000 tonnes of polyol per year, has been inaugurated. The ceremony, addressed ...
15-05-2024
-
NEXTCHEM completes the acquisition of GasConTec
Further to the announcement made on 4 March 2024, MAIRE announces that NEXTCHEM has finalized the acquisition of 100% of GasConTec GmbH, an innovative company specialized ...
15-05-2024
-
KBR awarded digital solutions contract by OCI
KBR announced today it has been awarded a contract by OCI Global to design and deploy its proprietary operator training simulator for OCI's 3,000 metric tonnes ...
13-05-2024
-
Worley awarded Bayou Bend CCS carbon capture and storage facility contract
We’ve been selected to design and evaluate CO2 gathering, handling and sequestration facilities located along the Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas. Bayou Bend ...
13-05-2024
-
Black & Veatch delivers feasibility study for Andes Energy LNG Terminal
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure solutions leader Black & Veatch has completed a feasibility study for the planned Andes Energy Terminal, LNG regasification ...
09-05-2024
-
Shell to sell interest in Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park to CAPGC
Shell Singapore Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has reached an agreement to sell its Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore to CAPGC Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company ...
08-05-2024
-
Integrated Global Services recognized for role in mega turnaround
Integrated Global Services has been recognized as a major contributor to the successful Ras Tanura Refinery 2024 Mega Turnaround and Inspection for Saudi Arabian Energy ...
08-05-2024
-
Ebara Elliott Energy to provide compressor for SAF project in Thailand
Ebara Elliott Energy, formerly Elliott Group, announces it has been contracted to provide a motor-driven recycle compressor with a variable frequency drive (VFD) for ...
07-05-2024
-
ETH Zurich select hte to provide high throughput test system designed for CO2 electroreduction
hte – the high throughput experimentation company was awarded a contract by the technical university ETH Zurich to provide a high throughput test system designed for ...
07-05-2024