South Korean defense agency plans to launch rocket from HVO-SAF facility in 2027
In an exciting development for the renewable energy sector, LG Chem and the Italian firm Enilive have announced the construction of South Korea's first plant for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The joint venture, named LG-Eni BioRefining, is set to be built at LG Chem's Daesan Chemical Complex in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do.
The plant, scheduled for completion in 2027, aims to process approximately 400,000 tonnes of renewable bio-feedstock annually. Enilive, associated with Enilive, already operates biorefineries in various countries, including Italy and several European countries, where their Ecofining™ technology for sustainable fuels is applied. However, the exact countries with operational Eni biorefineries were not specified.
SAF and HVO are produced by hydrogenating more sustainable vegetable oils like Used Cooking Oil (UCO) through Ecofining technology. LG Chem will use its dry methane reforming technology for the processing of the captured CO2 from steelmaking at Posco's Pohang steelworks.
The partnership also marks a significant step in the production of SAF from biomass and municipal solid waste. This strategic technology alliance, which includes Honeywell, Johnson Matthey, Gidara Energy, and Samsung E&A, aims to produce SAF on a larger scale to help decarbonise aviation. Despite strong global investment, SAF production remains far below the levels needed to achieve this goal.
Enilive aims to position itself as a leader in biofuels production with the Seosan biorefinery. LG Chem, on the other hand, aims to strengthen its global competitiveness and meet customers' evolving needs efficiently by advancing innovation in renewable fuels and bio-based feedstocks like HVO.
The demonstration project is part of South Korea's national CCU Mega Project. Together with existing and upcoming biorefining plants, Enilive targets to increase its biorefining capacity to over 5 million tonnes per year by 2030, with the potential to produce more than 2 million tonnes per year of SAF.
It's worth noting that HVO and SAF greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced compared to traditional fossil fuels. This makes these renewable fuels a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions in various industries, including aviation.
The collaboration between LG Chem and Posco Holdings for the carbon capture and utilisation technology is a significant step towards a more sustainable future. The project demonstrates the potential for industrial symbiosis, where waste products from one industry can be repurposed to benefit another.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, partnerships like these offer a glimmer of hope for a more sustainable future. The completion of the LG-Eni BioRefining plant in 2027 will undoubtedly contribute to South Korea's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote the use of renewable energy.
