Israeli Integrated Refiner to Manufacture Renewable Olefins and Polyolefins
- 07-Mar-2024 12:31 PM
- Journalist: Bob Duffler
Bazan Ltd. is making significant strides in its endeavor to produce polypropylene and polyethylene from renewable sources at its integrated refining and petrochemical facilities nestled in the Haifa Bay region of northern Israel, along the scenic eastern Mediterranean coastline. Having meticulously laid the groundwork for its green polymers strategy, Bazan's subsidiaries, Oil Refineries Ltd. (ORL) and Carmel Olefins Ltd. (COL), have attained the coveted International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) from ISCC System GmbH. This pivotal certification paves the way for the production of green polypropylene and polyethylene at the ORL refinery and COL petrochemical complex, conveniently situated adjacent to each other.
The ISCC certification spans across the ISCC European Union (EU) and ISCC Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) PLUS co-processing certifications. It empowers the ORL refinery to seamlessly integrate the conversion of used cooking oil (UCO) into green ethylene and propylene, subsequently polymerized by COL plants into bio-circular polyethylene and polypropylene. Bazan underlines the paramount importance of this certification in reducing its reliance on crude oil feedstock, while simultaneously facilitating COL's transformation of biological waste into a viable feedstock for the production of environmentally friendly plastics.
Though Bazan has refrained from divulging specific timelines and production capacities for the green monomers and polymers, the project aligns seamlessly with the company's strategic vision to meet the burgeoning demand for polymers derived from recycled and biodegradable materials. This initiative forms an integral part of Bazan's overarching commitment to bolstering the transition towards a low-carbon economy. Bazan envisions green polymers constituting 15% and 30% of its total polymer sales by the years 2025 and 2030, respectively.
Moreover, Bazan is at the forefront of implementing pioneering technologies at the ORL refinery, boasting a combined distillation and vacuum crude processing capacity of approximately 197,000 barrels per day (b/d). These cutting-edge technologies are geared towards facilitating the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from hydrogen and developing renewable diesel, utilizing used cooking oil as a primary feedstock. However, Bazan has chosen to maintain confidentiality regarding specific details pertaining to these SAF and renewable diesel projects.
In essence, Bazan's relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions underscores its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. By leveraging innovative technologies and forging strategic partnerships, Bazan is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future for the petrochemical industry and beyond.
BAZAN Group, formerly known as Oil Refineries Ltd., is a prominent oil refining and petrochemicals enterprise situated in Haifa Bay, Israel. Positioned as the largest oil refinery in the nation, BAZAN boasts a comprehensive oil refining capacity, processing approximately 9.8 million tons of crude oil annually, coupled with an impressive Nelson complexity index of 9.