Orlen and Yokogawa signed a memorandum of understanding on the project in Warsaw on Thursday, according to officials.
The two companies will work together “to enhance the technological process responsible for synthesising fuel from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen,” Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Poland’s Orlen Group is looking to “establish itself as a frontrunner” in the emerging market segment of carbon-neutral synthetic aviation fuels, which is “poised to drive effective decarbonisation of the aviation industry,” it said.
Poland's Orlen seeks to make 70,000 tonnes of synthetic aviation fuels a year by 2030
Orlen’s target is to be able to produce 70,000 tonnes of carbon-neutral synthetic aviation fuels a year by the end of 2030, the company’s CEO Daniel Obajtek announced.
Orlen’s CEO also told reporters: “Orlen’s partnership with Yokogawa marks a major milestone towards achieving our strategic goal to launch synthetic fuel production.”
Obajtek added: “With our Japanese partner we already have a very successful track record of cooperation in optimisation of our refining and petrochemical processes. I am happy such an experienced and reliable partner will support the development of Orlen’s new business line.”
Meanwhile, Takayuki Matsubara, President of Yokogawa Europe, said: “Through this co-innovation with Orlen, we will accelerate the decarbonization of aviation fuels. This will be powered by seamlessly integrated and highly autonomous digital systems.”
Poland’s Orlen Group is an integrated multi-utility energy company and one of the world’s 150 largest firms, according to officials.
It owns seven oil refineries (four in Poland, two in the Czech Republic and one in Lithuania), 3,100 petrol stations (in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary), a notable petrochemicals division and a renewable energy arm, including projects to build wind farms and solar farms.
The company expects to invest up to PLN 320 billion (around EUR 71.5 billion) in new projects by 2030, of which approximately 40% will be allocated to green investments, including wind energy at sea and on land, photovoltaics, biogas and biomethane, biofuels, electromobility, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, according to officials.
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Source: PAP, orlen.pl/en