FCL selects Topsoe for renewable diesel project

Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SK), Federated Co-operatives Ltd (FCL) are a wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing, and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 independent local co-operative associations in Western Canada.

FCL operates Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) in Regina and Co-op Ethanol Complex (CEC) near Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan (SK). The CEC annually produces up to 150 million litres of grain-derived ethanol, which is blended into CO-OP Fuels at the CRC in Regina.

FCL is committing to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent below 2015 levels by 2030 and aspiring to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of this commitment, FCL plans to build a renewable diesel facility using canola as feedstock at its CEC.

FCL has chosen Topsoe’s “HydroFlex” process to produce low-carbon renewable diesel.

We are proud to have been chosen as the official technology vendor for FCL’s new venture. Driven by our commitment to a sustainable future, we are focused on helping organizations like FCL reach their low-carbon economy goals and objectives, said Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, the Americas, Topsoe.

Once fully operational, the FCL renewable diesel plant has the potential to produce 15 000 barrels per day. The facility will be part of a larger Integrated Agriculture Complex, which also includes a canola-crushing plant.

FCL expects to be producing renewable diesel in 2027.

The production of renewable diesel is an important step in our transition to a low-carbon economy. Topsoe is a global leader and we are extremely pleased to work with their team, and to rely on their expertise, to deliver on our goals, said Gil Le Dressay, VP of Manufacturing, FCL.

FCL’s current refinery in Regina produces traditional petroleum products. Combining renewable fuels with the products FCL already manufactures will create a sustainable seed-to-tank solution for fuel production in Western Canada.