SGP BioEnergy to use Topsoe technology in Panama

SGP BioEnergy has chosen Topsoe technology to support the production of low-carbon fuels and to allow the facility to operate with net-zero emissions by adding green hydrogen to the refining process.

SGP BioEnergy to build Latin America’s largest renewable fuels plant with two units in Colon and Balboa, Panama, to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD), respectively.

Once fully operational, the biorefinery will produce 180,000 barrels/day of SAF and RD, and 405,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

Construction is on schedule for the first production by 2025. The biorefinery will have a production capacity of 180,000 barrels per day (2.6 billion gallons per year) of biofuel and 405,000 metric tons of green hydrogen annually once fully operational. Panama offers great potential as a platform to transport sustainable fuels globally.

Topsoe will provide its innovative HydroFlex™ technology to produce SAF and RD. It will also deploy its H2bridge™ technology to ensure the plant has a net-zero greenhouse gas footprint, recycling green hydrogen generated by waste carbon and production by-product back into the plant’s operations.

With HydroFlex™, customers can convert low value feedstocks into drop-in renewable jet and diesel that meets all of the globally accepted specifications for these fuels. The H2bridge™ technology captures waste propane and carbon off gas from the refining process, converts it into green hydrogen to be included in powering facility operations.

Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director at Topsoe, said, “We are excited to support the production of low-carbon fuels with our proven technologies for what will be the largest renewable fuels plant in South America, while also facilitating the net-zero operations of the biorefinery. It is a true model for a low-carbon energy future.”

Randy Delbert Letang, CEO of SGP BioEnergy, said, “It is the first time both advanced biofuels and green hydrogen will be produced together at this scale, and we are excited to be bringing this innovation to Panama.”