The JV will use Elevance’s biorefinery technology to produce high-value performance chemicals, advanced biofuels and oleochemicals. Large existing and emerging new demand exists for these products in surfactants, antimicrobials, lubricants, renewable biodiesel and green jet fuels.
This commercial-scale manufacturing facility will begin with a capacity of 180kMT (approximately 400 million pounds) with the ability to expand up to 360kMT (approximately 800 million pounds) of products. The facility will be located within Wilmar’s new integrated manufacturing complex now under construction in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The new plant is expected to come online in 2011, and like all facilities based on Elevance’s biorefinery technology, it will be capable of operating using multiple renewable oil feedstocks, such as palm, mustard, soybean, jatropha or waste oils.
Once operational, the biorefinery will produce green olefins, including a distribution of alpha and internal olefins for chemicals and advanced fuels; novel multifunctional esters and acids, including 9-decenoic acid, as well as a premium mixture of oleochemicals and advanced biofuels.
Rahul Kale, head of Biofuels and Oleochemicals at Wilmar, said: “Elevance’s unique technology fits our current business and asset footprint very well and provides an exciting growth opportunity. It is a very capital-efficient way to enhance the value of the renewable resource feedstocks we produce. We look forward to working together to develop and deploy the technology at our facility.”
