L&T dispatches critical reactors to DGD Port Arthur renewable diesel project ahead of schedule

The heavy-engineering arm of India-based Larsen & Toubro flagged off five critical reactors to North America’s largest renewable diesel producer, Diamond Green Diesel, two weeks ahead of the contractual delivery date.

DGD is a joint venture of Darling Ingredients Inc. and Valero Energy Corp. with an operating 690-million-gallon-per-year (mgy) plant in Norco, Louisiana, and a 470 mgy project in Port Arthur, Texas. L&T is executing additional three such green diesel projects for the U.S. and European clients at Larsen & Toubro’s fully integrated, state-of-the-art, digitally enabled heavy-engineering complex located at Hazira in Gujarat.

The reactors manufactured by L&T will process recycled animal fats, used cooking oil and inedible corn oil to make green diesel.

“We thank DGD for entrusting L&T with this opportunity to supply these critical reactors,” said Anil Parab, a member of L&T’s executive committee and senior vice president and head of heavy engineering. “India was hit hard with the second wave of COVID-19 during the execution of this fast-track delivery project. The supply of oxygen and other industrial gases was stopped for 45 days. This situation tested our resilience to the fullest. Despite these problems, our impeccable track record of reliable on-time delivery was adhered to deliver uninterrupted customer service.”

This critical technology will open new opportunities and help the client to meet the objective of low-carbon emissions. The successful execution of such renewable energy projects is a part of L&T’s strategy to widen its green-business portfolio, guided by its environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework.”

John Roach, senior vice president for Valero, said, “We are elated by the transparent and result-oriented approach of L&T in manufacturing these complex reactors meeting the high level of safety, quality and reliability requirements while achieving early delivery. This was the most critical order for the DGD 3 project and L&T has kept up to their promise despite unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic challenges. We see L&T as a valuable supplier and resource for critical projects in the future.”