ORLEN Południe plant makes propylene glycol production more sustainable based on BASF technology

ORLEN Południe, a leading player in biofuels in Poland, has recently concluded the first year of operation of its BioPG plant, converting glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, into renewable propylene glycol (BioPG).

BioPG obtained from glycerin is bio-based and a highly demanded product used to produce polyester resins, polyurethanes, paints and de-icing solutions, solvents for the food industry and is used as an ingredient in deodorant sticks and toothpaste. Compared to fossil-based propylene glycol, BioPG reduces the CO₂ footprint by at least 60% whilst offering the same product quality.

Air Liquide Engineering & Construction provided the license, basic engineering and proprietary equipment for the new plant, combining its expertise with commercially-proven BASF technology.

BASF’s BioPG technology is operating at full scale for already more than a decade, showing very high selectivity and glycerol conversion using BASF’s H9-66 catalyst. The outstanding catalyst performance enables the hydrogenation in liquid phase without any need for separation of intermediates or solvents, leading to lower energy consumptions compared to other processes.

The BioPG plant supports ORLEN Group’s objective of achieving CO₂ neutrality by 2050. With an annual capacity of 30,000t, ORLEN Południe is the first Polish producer of propylene glycol aiming to meet 75% of the country’s propylene glycol needs.

“We are proud that after a smooth start-up the new plant is operating as planned, for more than one year. The co-operation between ORLEN Południe, BASF, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction significantly promotes our business philosophy with the BioPG technology and improves our value chain. The technical support by BASF and Air Liquide Engineering & Construction was outstanding. This really is a joint success,” says Grzegorz Semerjak, Technology Director at ORLEN Południe.

“We are pleased to offer to our customers an innovative bio-based renewable solution that provides many environmental benefits and helps our customers move towards a low-carbon society. We were delighted to work with ORLEN Poludnie on their project, to provide our expertise and a one-stop shop BioPG solution,” says Dominique Rouge, Vice President, Sales & Technology at Air Liquide Engineering and Construction.

“Our propylene glycol catalyst has been operating successfully at customers for over 10 years, and we are excited about a successful startup and operation of another commercial plant with ORLEN Południe. Thanks to the G2PG process, ORLEN Południe has opened a completely new business area of bio products and further increased the value creation at its biodiesel plant. As BASF, we are proud to support this development with our innovative technology and catalyst, and to enable a more sustainable BioPG production,” says Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts at BASF.