NextChem Srl, the green chemistry subsidiary of Italy-headed Maire Tecnimont S.p.A has announced that it has signed an agreement with biofuels producer Essential Energy USA Corp to execute a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a new biorefinery in South America for the production of renewable diesel.
According to a statement, the planned biorefinery the location of which has not been disclosed will have the capacity to produce 200 000 tonnes-per-annum of high-quality renewable diesel (HVO) from non-food vegetable oil and waste feedstocks such as animal fats and used cooking oil (UCO). Subject to the client’s Final Investment Decision (FID), the project is expected to be operational in 2023.
Furthermore, NextChem will be the exclusive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor. Maire Tecnimont Group has exhaustive experience in EPC contracting in Energy Services including in South America. Additionally, NextChem has been active in energy transition projects with a focus on deploying solutions in carbon footprint reduction, through the development of new technologies for the production of biofuels and biochemicals from biobased feedstock and circular chemicals from waste.
Our business in the biofuels sector and in particular in the renewable diesel segment is gradually growing and South America is a very interesting area for us. Low carbon mandates in North America and Europe will drive strong demand and premium pricing: this, together with the availability of proven technologies and solid EPC capabilities opens a path of market success for such investments. We are proud to be the partner of a sector-leader company such as Essential Energy USA Corp. in this world-scale industrial initiative which enhances the EPC capabilities of Maire Tecnimont Group in green chemistry and the biofuels market, commented Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Maire Tecnimont Group and NextChem.
