HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GmbH, a prominent oil refinery based in Hamburg, Germany, has selected Topsoe AS to supply its proprietary HydroFlex technology for a groundbreaking renewable fuels production complex. This initiative is part of HOLBORN’s strategic vision to transition away from traditional crude oil refining and towards a more sustainable, circular economy.
### Integrated Renewable Fuel Complex
The new complex will be integrated into HOLBORN’s existing refinery, which processes up to 5 million tonnes of crude oil each year to produce various petroleum products. The planned expansion will focus on transforming waste and residue feedstocks into high-quality renewable diesel (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This ambitious project aims to produce approximately 220,000 tonnes annually of these clean, renewable fuels, significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.
### HydroFlex Technology
Topsoe’s HydroFlex is a pioneering technology designed to convert various organic fats, oils, and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel fuels that meet stringent global standards. This versatility allows the technology to be deployed in both grassroots units and revamp projects for co-processing or standalone applications. The HydroFlex system’s ability to process diverse organic materials efficiently has been critical in selecting it for this project, as it can handle the specific feedstock requirements of the planned complex.
### Commitment to Sustainability
HOLBORN’s decision to adopt Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology underscores its commitment to supporting the energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) also influences this initiative, as it sets ambitious targets for increasing renewable energy sources. By investing in this complex, HOLBORN is aligning itself with global and regional efforts to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
### Key Milestones and Partnerships
Several key milestones have been established in this project. Firstly, Maire SPA’s subsidiaries, KT-Kinetics Technology SPA and NextChem SPA, were awarded contracts in