As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and support the energy transition, HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GMBH has secured a significant contract with Denmark-based company Topsoe to deliver advanced technology for a groundbreaking renewable fuels complex in Hamburg, Germany.
The latest agreement, finalized in mid-August, marks a pivotal step in HOLBORN’s ambitious transformation strategy aimed at replacing crude oil with sustainable, circular solutions. By integrating Topsoe’s proprietary Hydroflex technology into their existing refinery operations, HOLBORN is positioned to convert waste and residue feedstocks into high-quality sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, meeting global specifications for these fuels.
Topsoe’s Hydroflex technology, renowned for its versatility in processing various organic fats, oils, and greases, was crucial for accommodating HOLBORN’s specific feedstock requirements. This technology will be instrumental in addressing the rapidly growing demand for SAF, as highlighted by the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Scenario, which stipulates that over 10% of aviation fuel should be SAF by 2030 to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
The new renewable fuels complex, designed to produce approximately 220,000 tons of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil, also known as green diesel) and SAF annually, is part of HOLBORN’s broader program to increase the production of sustainable fuels. This initiative aligns with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), which promotes the use of renewable energy sources in transportation and industry.
Another significant aspect of this project is the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services awarded to Maire SPA’s Rome-based subsidiaries, KT-Kinetics Technology SPA and NextChem SPA. These entities will jointly oversee the development of a pretreatment unit for renewable feedstocks and the infrastructure needed to integrate the new HVO plant seamlessly with existing refinery operations[3