Partners Enerkem and Shell repurpose the Rotterdam project

Partners Enerkem and Shell repurpose the Rotterdam project


Given the capacity for Enerkem with Shell to provide end-to-end technical solutions for converting hard-to-recycle waste into jet fuel – the partners in the project have decided to repurpose the current project to focus on SAF production. 

The project would process up to 360,000 tonnes per annum of recycling rejects and produce up to 80,000 tonnes of renewable products, of which around 75 percent could be SAF and the remainder used for road fuels or to feed circular chemicals production.

If the final investment decision has been taken, construction of the project could take approximately three years with production starting in 2025 or 2026. Development of the revised project is underway and the partners are looking to submit a permit application for the revised project by the end of 2021.

As travel slowly picks up in the wake of the pandemic, the hard-to-decarbonise aviation sector will return to producing its share of about 3 percent of total global GHG emissions. The production of sustainable aviation fuel is fundamental to reducing the aviation industry’s lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional fuel. 

As new policy measures and ambitious CO2-targets are being initiated, demand for SAF is expected to increase substantially in the Netherlands and other EU member states. 

New production pathways are therefore critical to increase the supply of SAF; there are multiple technologies at various stages of maturity. With favourable support under renewable transport fuels regulations expected, the production of SAF from low-grade, post-recycling mixed waste has become an option.

For more information visit www.portofrotterdam.com

14th June 2021