The MOU anticipates a first project that is estimated to produce approximately 60 kMT (22 million gallons per year) of renewable hydrocarbons, advanced renewable fuels, and low-carbon SAF at HCS Group’s Speyer site by the end of 2024. The HCS Group manufacturing center, operated by the Haltermann Carless brand, is strategically located in the geographical center of Europe, at the Rhine river and in the vicinity of Frankfurt airport, offering excellent prerequisites for supplying customers in Europe with SAF, certified under Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive, and a portfolio of certified renewable drop-in fuels and specialty chemicals.
KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): Up to 86.39% of Malaysia’s total planted area for oil palm has been certified sustainable under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme.
During a webinar entitled “Sustainability And Food Safety: The Perspective of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry” organised by the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Technical Advisory Services Unit, Product Development and Advisory Services Division (PDAS) Australasia and Oceania Regional Manager and Desk Officer for Europe, Rafizah Mazlan, said as at Feb 28, 2021, 5.07 million hectares (ha) of Malaysia’s oil palm planted area was certified sustainable. In total, the country has a total licensed planted area of 5.87 million ha.
Dutch to limit forest biomass subsidies, possibly signaling EU sea change
by Justin Catanoso on 9 March 2021
The Dutch Parliament in February voted to disallow the issuing of new subsidies for 50 planned forest biomass-for-heat plants, a small, but potentially key victory for researchers and activists who say that the burning of forests to make energy is not only not carbon neutral, but is dirtier than burning coal and bad climate policy.
With public opinion opposing forest biomass as a climate solution now growing in the EU, the decision by the Netherlands could be a bellwether. In June, the EU will review its Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), whether to continue allowing biomass subsidies and not counting biomass emissions at the smokestack.
OMV Invests In 2nd-Generation Biofuel Production
OMV, the integrated, international oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, plans to build a pilot plant at its Schwechat Refinery which will produce second-generation biofuels from 2023 using a patented process developed inhouse. The plant involves advanced biofuels that are not in competition with foodstuffs. A typical refining process will see the waste-based substance glycerin turned into bio-alcohol, which when added to gasoline reduces its CO2 footprint.
“After more than five years of research, we are now investing in a ‘Glycerin2Propanol’ pilot plant and thereby contribute to the further development of advanced biofuels. The new plant will be part of the existing value chain in the Schwechat Refinery and is an additional building block in OMV’s sustainable business model”, said Thomas Gangl, OMV Chief Downstream Operations Officer.
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Palm oil opportunities: India and China demand for Malaysian palm oil likely to rise this year as economies open up By Pearly Neo Malaysian palm oil is expected to see a rise in demand from India and China this year as economies gradually open up and local stocks diminish, but the industry must improve logistics and digital reach to effectively capitalise, according to industry experts.
The experts - Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) Deputy Director Faisal Iqbal, Malaysian palm oil products manufacturer Alami Group Managing Director Ahmed Alami, and agriculture research firm Refinitiv Senior Analyst Dr Tan Kian Pang - convened at a virtual seminar on palm oil price trends and market expectations for 2021.