Sulzer helps Energy Absolute expand, manufacture winter-grade biobased diesel in Thailand for export

Photo: Sulzer Chemtech

Sulzer Chemtech is helping Energy Absolute to expand its manufacturing plant in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, Thailand.

The collaboration is key to drive the competitiveness of EA, as the technology provided will enable the producer to deliver winterized renewable fuels. This will expand its market reach and support the wider adoption of cleaner energy in Europe and North America.

EA, one of the biggest companies in Thailand for renewable energy supply, has signed a license agreement with Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology).

The new technology provided by Sulzer Chemtech will enhance the quality of the renewable diesel, or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), to meet the regulations on diesel use in cold, wintery conditions in North America and Europe and also additionally produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

To meet this goal, the facility in Map Ta Phut, which currently features an annual capacity of 43,000 metric tons (approximately 14 million gallons), will utilize the proprietary BioFlux® process technology offered by Sulzer Chemtech in cooperation with Duke Technologies.

The BioFlux® process, developed by Duke Technologies LLC and licensed by Sulzer Chemtech globally, converts various pretreated feedstocks to either HVO or SAF with maximum flexibility in the specific ratios of end products.

Sulzer Chemtech, which supported EA in the construction of its original plant, was selected for its leading expertise in sustainable manufacturing technologies as well as the ability to provide the BioFlux® licensed process-technology solution.

To speed up the timeline of this new project and help EA quickly benefit from this investment, Sulzer Chemtech also plans to assist EA in modular construction of the new facility.

“As EA continues to grow locally and internationally, we need a reliable, experienced partner that can provide state-of-the-art technologies for the production of greener fuels,” said Amorn Sapthaweekul, director and deputy CEO at Energy Absolute. “This is why we contacted our preferred process-technology specialist, Sulzer Chemtech, for this innovative project. We look forward to completing this expansion to produce winter-grade fuels and serving new markets soon.”

Sander van Donk, senior vice president and business-unit head at Sulzer Chemtech, added, “We are delighted to work with EA again and strengthen our relationship with a company that is leading the way in providing fuels and energy in an environmentally friendly way. We have been driving multiple sustainable manufacturing ventures with our cutting-edge products and are keen to support more projects like this in the future.”