Rossi Biofuel, a 25/75 joint venture between MOL Group and Envien Group, cut the ribbon for its new biodiesel plant in Komárom, Hungary, March 11. The facility, sized at 15 million gallons per year (mgy), is the first in Europe to come online using Austria-based BDI-BioEnergy International’s RepCat technology, which enables the use of low-cost, low-quality feedstock and employs a recyclable catalyst.

“Being able to design and build this innovative plant for one of the biggest biofuel producers in Europe is one further big success for BDI in Europe,” said Markus Dielacher, CEO of BDI. “Once again, we have demonstrated our competence in design, engineering and construction of chemical plants to make the world a little bit greener.”

Another biodiesel plant in Europe, Cargill’s Bioro facility in Belgium, is currently being installed with BDI’s RepCat process and is expected to open this June, which will be capable of producing 35 mgy. Crimson Renewable Energy in Bakersfield, California, also utilizes the novel conversion technology.

“We have brought a unique technology to Europe that allows us to produce biofuel from almost any type of fats,” said Oszkár Világi, the deputy CEO of MOL Group. “This is a huge success for all of us, as circular economy is one of the cornerstones of MOL Group’s updated strategy. Energy transition is a long and complex process, but this investment clearly shows that conventional fuels can be turned into more environmentally friendly with the right technology and by using waste.”

Work on the 45-million-euro brownfield plant began in June 2020 and its construction involved more than 15 companies.

"This new modern plant is the Envien Group’s first major investment in the production of advanced biofuels, where waste is processed into useful products,” said Robert Spišák, chairman of Rossi Biofuel. “In our opinion, a plant that uses waste and mainly domestic raw materials, contributes to the greenhouse gas savings of transport and at the same time boosts and stimulates the local economy and employment, a way forward and a priority for the group. The BDI RepCat process means we can use a high variety of feedstock, even lowest-quality materials—such as trap grease or animal fats—to produce valuable, high-quality biodiesel. With this technology we can make a valuable contribution to CO2 reduction, and the amount of biodiesel we will produce at this site will be enough for climate neutral operation of more than 70,000 cars. And, due to the Hungarian subsidies, we decided to locate the plant in our production base in Komárom, Hungary, and we are confident that this is not our last project of this kind.”

According to MOL Group, “Rossi Biofuel’s product is used as a bio-component in the production of diesel” at its Danube (Hungary) and Slovnaft (Slovakia) refineries.