Total selects Honeywell to produce renewable fuels for aviation industry

Oil major Total will use Honeywell UOP ‘Ecofining process technology’ to produce renewable fuels at its Grandpuits platform in Seine-et-Marne, France.

These renewable fuels production is primarily for the aviation industry.

In September, Total announced that it is investing more than €500m ($583m) to convert its Grandpuits refinery into a zero-crude platform for biofuels and bioplastics.

Honeywell UOP will provide technology licences, specialty equipment, basic engineering, as well as catalysts for the renewable fuels production project.

Upon completion, the bio-refinery will have a capacity to process about 400,000 tonnes per annum (tpa)of feed.

It can produce about up to 170,000t of sustainable aviation fuel, 120,000t of renewable diesel, and 50,000t of renewable naphtha for bioplastics production.

Honeywell’s Sustainable Technology Solutions business VP and general manager Ben Owens said: “Total chose UOP’s Ecofining process to increase its renewable jet fuels production in France.

“UOP’s Ecofining process will help Total to convert its Grandpuits refinery into a zero-crude platform that supports government plans to develop fossil fuel substitutes and achieve carbon neutrality.”

The sustainable aviation fuels deployment is one of the main priorities of the French government, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.

It is part of the French government’s earlier announced plans to replace 2% of its ‘fossil-based jet fuel’ with ‘sustainable aviation fuels’ by the year 2025.

Honeywell UOP is part of Honeywell’s ‘Performance Materials and Technologies’ strategic business unit. It also includes automation control and instrumentation specialist Honeywell Process Solutions.

Developed in alliance with Eni, Honeywell’s Ecofining process converts non-edible natural oils, animal fats and other waste feedstocks to Honeywell Green Diesel.

In October last year, Diamond Green Diesel selected Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining process technology for the $1.1bn expansion of its annual production capacity of clean fuel.