Neste celebrates 15 years of refining in Singapore, 60 years in Porvoo, Finland

Neste has been transforming from a local oil refiner in Finland to a global frontrunner in renewable and circular solutions.

Today, Neste is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, enabling its customers across a variety of sectors to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with Neste’s renewable solutions.

This year, Neste marks two significant milestones: the 15th anniversary of its renewable products refinery in Singapore and the 60th anniversary of its Porvoo refinery in Finland, showcasing a legacy of refining that has grown from local operations to make a global impact.

Singapore refinery

Neste’s investment in the Singapore refinery marked a pivotal milestone as the company’s first major renewable products focused investment in Asia and outside of Finland.

In 2010, Neste’s refinery in Singapore commenced operations as the world’s largest renewable diesel refinery. 

A subsequent expansion in 2023 integrated SAF production capabilities into the refinery operations, elevating the total production capacity of renewable products to 2.6 million tons annually, encompassing renewable diesel, SAF and renewable raw materials for polymers and chemicals. 

Neste said investments in Singapore have solidified the company’s role as a significant global player in renewable fuels, enhancing its global footprint and strengthening ties with its Asia-Pacific customers.

“The Singapore refinery’s 15th anniversary is a testament to Neste’s refining expertise and the dedication of our talented employees in Singapore,” said Jukka Kanerva, the senior vice president of refining and renewable products at Neste. “Their commitment to pioneering renewable solutions and our strategic growth in the region make this refinery a cornerstone of our global operations, giving us an advantage in global competition and enabling us to continue helping our customers to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions.” 

Porvoo refinery

Neste’s Porvoo oil refinery in Finland began operations in 1965 with the purpose to secure Finland’s oil supply.

After its expansion, it became the largest oil refinery in the Nordics in the 1970s. 

The basis for Neste’s fuel innovations was built at the Porvoo refinery.

Lead- and sulfur-free fuels were Neste’s first steps towards improving products’ environmental performance, and in the 1990s, Neste’s NEXBTL technology for renewables production was developed and NEXBTL refining units started up in 2007 and 2009 at the Porvoo refinery.

“The Porvoo refinery is one of the most complex refineries in Europe,” said Jori Sahlsten, Neste’s executive vice president of oil products. “It was built that way to ensure flexibility in producing more than 100 products from a variety of raw materials, including different crude-oil qualities. Now 60 years after its start up, Neste proudly showcases a very unique oil refinery with the capability of processing not only crude oil but also renewable and recycled raw materials.”