Total's Grandpuits retrofit to use Honeywell UOP's Ecofining technology for SAF, HVO production

Unlike French multinational oil company Total SE's first petroleum refinery conversion to produce renewable diesel in La Mède in the south of France, which contracted with Axens for its Vegan process technology, Total's recently announced conversion project at its Grandpuits refinery in the Seine-et-Marne region of north-central France will use Honeywell UOP's Ecofining process.

Honeywell UOP says it will provide Total with technology licenses, basic engineering, specialty equipment and catalysts for the project. Once completed, the complex will manufacture approximately 58 MMgy of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), more than 40 MMgy of renewable diesel and 50,000 tons of renewable naphtha for production of bioplastics.

"Total chose UOP's Ecofining process to increase its renewable jet fuels production in France," said Ben Owens, vice president and general manager of Honeywell's sustainable technology solutions business. "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."

France announced plans earlier this year to replace 2 percent of its fossil-based jet fuel with SAF by 2025, 5 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050.