The Project

REFOLUTION – Refinery integration, scale-up and certification for aviation and marine biofuels production is a Horizon Europe project aims to delivering a cost-effective production (with a reduction of CAPEX by 50% and OPEX by 45%) of advanced biofuels for the aviation and marine sectors via a process that can be implemented in existing European refineries.

Unlocking the potential of biofuels

Advanced biofuels have the potential to save several gigatons of CO2 emission per year. However their development is hampered by several factors: a complex feedstock to be processed, the massive investments needed for each new refinery unit, the lack of certification for market adoption and social acceptance of the biofuel production itself. The REFOLUTION has a designed strategy to tackle these limitations.

A strong EU consortium covering the full biofuel value chain

will deploy risk mitigation pathways for successful implementation into existing refineries, delivering a comprehensive toolbox of models, standards and exploitation pathways for interfacing with existing refinery models and available documentation for further replication in other existing refineries.
  • Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) co-processing for aviation and marine sectors, at TRL7

 

  • Hydrotreating for marine sector, at TRL6

The REFOLUTION technology

The project will demonstrate transform bio-oils produced from fast pyrolysis into advanced biofuels, through intermediate process steps combined with downstream co-processing technologies for targeting two different applications:
REFOLUTION will build the basis of the increased incorporation of advanced biofuels production in existing plants, enhancing the potential of Europes 93 operating refineries in accelerating the transition to a greener economy and delivering up to 30% reduction in CO2 emission from their core FCC units.

Integration through co-processing and co-refinery

  • Certification and standardisation

 

  • Digitalisation

 

  • Increase co-feeding possibilities

Innovation to unlock the full potential of advanced biofuels production in existing plants

 

Co-FCC and HT in existing plants – robust routes towards aviation and marine fuels

  • Decarbonisation of transport (aviation, maritime, etc.)

 

  • Providing flexibility and high value for existing refineries

 

  • Increased social acceptance

 

  • Pave the way to the transportation of the future through certification and standardisation
Strong benefits for different sectors and citizens