PETRONAS, Enilive, and Euglena to build biorefinery in Malaysia

PETRONAS, Enilive (a subsidiary of Eni S.p.A), and Euglena Co., Ltd. have announced the final investment decision to construct a biorefinery within PETRONAS’ Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) in Johor, Malaysia. This strategic partnership aims to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other biofuels, contributing to the global push for greener energy solutions in aviation and transportation.

The new facility is set to begin construction in the fourth quarter of  2024 and is expected to be operational by the second half of 2028. The biorefinery will process approximately 650,000 tonnes of raw materials annually, producing SAF, renewable diesel/hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), and bio-naphtha. Feedstocks will include used vegetable oils, animal fats, and other biomass, including microalgae oils.

Located within PETRONAS’ PIC, the biorefinery will benefit from integrated facilities and utilities, with easy access to feedstock sources and major international shipping lanes. The facility will employ state-of-the-art Ecofining™ technology, developed by Eni and Honeywell UOP, ensuring high flexibility in feedstock processing and maximising SAF production.

Ahmad Adly Alias, PETRONAS vice president of Refining, Trading, and Marketing, highlighted the venture’s alignment with PETRONAS’ Net Zero Carbon Emissions 2050 aspiration. “This milestone will solidify our standing in the biofuels value chain beyond trading, paving the way for a holistic bio-based ecosystem,” he said.

Stefano Ballista, CEO of Enilive, emphasised the global impact of the project, noting, “With this new initiative and in cooperation with PETRONAS and Euglena, we will enter the Asian market and expand our global footprint in biofuels.”

Mitsuru Izumo, founder and president of Euglena, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to meet the growing biofuel demand in ASEAN countries, underscoring Euglena’s commitment to advancing microalgae research and development.