In the United States (US), Mainstream Pine Products, LLC has recently revealed plans for an estimated US$90 million crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) in Berkeley County in South Carolina (SC). The biorefinery will be a highly advanced recycling facility with an annual capacity to process around 110 000 tonnes of CTO for use in a wide range of industrial applications including renewable fuels and specialty chemicals.
Founded in 2019 by a group of investors Mainstream Pine Products (Mainstream) aims to have the new crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery serve as the centerpiece of Mainstream’s strategy to become the highest quality, lowest cost producer of CTO derivatives in North America.
CTO is a renewable, non-food resource and a byproduct of pine trees used in paper manufacturing. It is a vital component of many chemicals including renewable diesel processing products, lubricants, adhesives, inks, paints, coatings, and tire and rubber additives.
The company anticipates breaking ground and starting construction later this year with operations commencing in 2023.
We conducted deep-dive market studies and reviewed pine chemical industry cycles. The increasing demand for renewable, non-food source materials led us to a nationwide search for the best location in which to expand our operations. The Goose Creek site was unsurpassed among many we considered. It affords us an ideal manufacturing location in an integrated industrial park with reliable infrastructure and intermodal access for efficient delivery of source materials and shipping of refined products, explained said Rob Helwick, President, and CEO of Mainstream Pine Products
Technology partners selected
With access to interstate highways, deep water shipping, and rail facilities, Mainstream’s 10-acre facility will feature industry-leading “NEXPINUS” technology provided by Finland-headed Neste Engineering Solutions Oy. The associated project management and engineering will be provided by PegasusTSI, Inc. and supported by Neste Engineering Solutions.
Mainstream has also established a long-term raw material supply chain and has engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to serve as the underwriter for its tax-exempt project financing.
It is important for us to develop our line of renewable products in a plant that meets the most rigorous environmental standards. All things being equal, we believe the general population prefers renewable products, and the biorefinery acknowledges the world’s increasing demand for more sustainable goods, Rob Helwick said.
Mainstream will be located in the 1 750-acre advanced manufacturing park at Charleston Industrial Manufacturing Center (CIMC) owned and operated by Cooper River Partners (CRP). The Center offers rail and deep-water access via barge. CRP provides utility services to tenants, such as steam, compressed air, and process water.
We are excited to welcome Mainstream to the growing list of companies that call Charleston International Manufacturing Center home. Through providing reliable and cost-effective industrial services, CRP looks forward to supporting Mainstream’s successful growth, said Kent Fonvielle, President of Cooper River Partners.
