SGP BioEnergy to build Latin America’s largest renewable fuels plant with two units in Colon and Balboa, Panama to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD), respectively. SGP BioEnergy has chosen Topsoe technology to support the production of low-carbon fuels and to allow the facility to operate with net-zero emissions by adding green H₂ from the refining process.

Once fully operational, the biorefinery will produce 180,000 bpd of SAF and RD, and 405,000 metric tpy of green H₂. This is a significant contribution to meet the growing demand for SAF, which is expected to reach 7 B to 10.6 B gallons, or 5%-7.5% of global aviation fuel consumption by 2030 (BloombergNEF).

Topsoe will provide its innovative HydroFlex technology to produce SAF and RD, while also deploying its H2bridge technology to ensure the plant has a net-zero greenhouse gas footprint, recycling green H₂ generated by waste carbon and production by-product back into the plant’s operations.

Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, The Americas, Topsoe said, “This is truly an amazing project, and we are proud to work with SGP BioEnergy to bring it to life. We are excited to support the production of low-carbon fuels with our proven technologies for what will be the largest renewable fuels plant in South America, while also facilitating the net-zero operations of the biorefinery. It is a true model for a low-carbon energy future.”

Construction is on schedule for first production by 2025. The biorefinery will have a producing capacity of 180,000 bpd (2.6 Bgpy) of biofuel and 405,000 metric tpy of green H₂ once fully operational. Panama offers great potential as a platform to transport the sustainable fuels globally.

Randy Delbert Letang, CEO of SGP BioEnergy said, “This facility is truly a model of the future of the energy transition. We will not only produce the fuel that will decarbonize transportation but do so in a way that is also decarbonizing the manufacturing process itself.  It is the first time both advanced biofuels and green hydrogen will be produced together at this scale, and we are excited to be bringing this innovation to Panama.”