In a significant move towards the energy transition, HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GMBH has awarded a contract to Topsoe AS to provide cutting-edge technology for a novel renewable fuels production complex within its existing 5-million-tonne/year refinery in Hamburg, Germany. This strategic partnership is crucial for HOLBORN’s broader initiative to reduce emissions and significantly increase production of sustainable fuels like renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The mid-August agreement saw Topsoe licencing its proprietary HydroFlex technology, which enables the efficient conversion of various organic fats, oils, and greases into drop-in renewable jet fuel and diesel that meet global specifications. This advanced technology was deemed essential for processing the specific feedstock requirements of the planned complex, according to Lars Bergmann, managing director of HOLBORN’s Hamburg refinery.
The proposed hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) complex is designed to produce 220,000 tons per year of high-quality HVO—also known as green diesel—and SAF using biomass-based waste and residue feedstocks sourced from the agribusiness sector. This project aligns with HOLBORN’s commitment to support the energy transition and adhere to the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III).
HOLBORN’s selection of HydroFlex underscores its dedication to innovative and sustainable solutions. Bergmann emphasized that this project marks a significant step in HOLBORN’s long-term transformation strategy aimed at replacing crude oil with alternative raw materials, focusing on renewable and circular solutions.
The complex, including a pretreatment plant and connecting infrastructure to conventional refining installations, is scheduled to start operations in early 2027. This development follows HOLBORN’s June 2024 award to Maire SPA’s Rome-based subsidiaries, KT-Kinetics Technology SPA and NextChem SPA, to jointly provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the complex.
Bergmann’s commitment to this project is clear: “This project is an important step in