MAIRE (MAIRE.MI) has disclosed that KT - Kinetics Technology (Integrated E&C Solutions), in collaboration with NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), has been awarded an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract by HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GmbH (HOLBORN) to build a Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) complex within HOLBORN’s existing refinery in Hamburg, Germany.

Upon completion, the facility will manufacture around 220,000 tons per year of premium renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sourced from waste, residues, biomass, agricultural by-products, and low-carbon hydrogen.

The plant is scheduled to commence operations in early 2027, encompassing both the pre-treatment and HVO units, along with the necessary interconnecting infrastructure to integrate with existing facilities. The contract is valued at approximately USD 400 million.

HVO, or renewable diesel, is a fuel produced from waste and residue feedstocks. It undergoes processing to match the chemical properties of fossil-based diesel, offering the benefit of reducing reliance on petroleum and minimizing environmental impact. Widely utilized globally as a direct replacement biofuel in diesel vehicles without requiring engine modifications, renewable diesel significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel. This aligns with the sustainability standards outlined in the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III).

MAIRE will utilize its Sustainable Technology Solutions’ expertise and Integrated E&C Solutions’ engineering and execution capabilities to deliver an HVO complex at HOLBORN Refinery. This project aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce carbon footprint significantly.

Alessandro Bernini, CEO of MAIRE Group, stated: "This significant achievement underscores MAIRE Group's essential role in the Energy Transition and its capacity to tackle decarbonization challenges in challenging sectors. We leverage our unmatched technological portfolio, complemented by world-class engineering and execution capabilities."

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a renewable biofuel derived from vegetable oil through processes like hydrocracking, which breaks down large molecules with hydrogen, and hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen to molecules. These methods enable the production of substitutes for gasoline, diesel, propane, kerosene, and various chemical feedstocks. Diesel fuel derived from Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is often referred to as green diesel or renewable diesel.

MAIRE S.p.A. heads a technology and engineering consortium dedicated to advancing solutions for the Energy Transition. The company provides Sustainable Technology Solutions and Integrated E&C Solutions across various sectors including nitrogen fertilizers, hydrogen, circular carbon, fuels, chemicals, and polymers. MAIRE operates globally, generating value in 45 countries with a workforce of over 8,000 employees, supported by more than 20,000 individuals involved in its projects worldwide.