Topsoe to Offer Technology for HOLBORN’s Hamburg Biofuels Refinery

Topsoe, a global pioneer in carbon reduction technologies, has entered into a strategic partnership with HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GmbH to deploy its cutting-edge HydroFlex™ technology at the Hamburg refinery. This collaboration will enable HOLBORN, a prominent supplier of fuels and heating oil to Hamburg and northern Germany, to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.

This new production facility in Morocco will play a crucial role in meeting the rapidly growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). According to the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Scenario, SAF must account for over 10% of aviation fuel consumption by 2030 to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Despite this target, the International Air Transport Association estimated that global SAF production in 2022 constituted only about 0.1% to 0.15% of total jet fuel demand. The expansion in production capacity will be essential in bridging this gap and supporting the aviation industry's transition to more sustainable fuel sources.

HOLBORN is advancing the development of a renewable fuels complex within its existing refinery in Hamburg, Germany, focusing on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The new plant is slated to become operational in early 2027 and will feature infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with the current facilities. Upon completion, the plant is projected to produce approximately 220,000 tons per year of renewable diesel and SAF, utilizing waste and residue feedstocks to support the transition to more sustainable fuel options.

This agreement with HOLBORN continues Topsoe's successful expansion of its HydroFlex™ technology, following notable wins at several key projects. Topsoe's technology will be implemented at Braya Renewable Fuels’ Come By Chance plant in Canada, Cepsa Bioenergia San Roque’s Palos de la Frontera plant in Spain, and Guangxi Hongkun Biomass in China. These projects underscore Topsoe's growing global presence and its pivotal role in advancing renewable fuel solutions across diverse markets.

With HydroFlex™, a large range of fats, oils, and greases into renewable jet and diesel fuels that comply with all international standards. Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ technology is versatile, suitable for both new installations and upgrades, enabling either co-processing or entirely renewable operations.

HOLBORN Europa Raffinerie GmbH is a prominent oil refinery serving Hamburg and northern Germany with a range of fuels and heating oils. Their Hamburg-Harburg facility is a major refining hub, capable of processing up to five million tons of crude oil per year into a diverse product portfolio including fuels like gasoline and diesel, heating oil, and essential chemical feedstock.

Topsoe is a global frontrunner in technology and solutions for accelerating the energy transition. By leveraging decades of scientific innovation, they deliver cutting-edge solutions that enable customers and partners to achieve ambitious decarbonization targets. Their core competencies encompass transforming renewable feedstocks into sustainable fuels and chemicals, as well as optimizing fuel production efficiency and reducing emissions, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.