Biofuels industry
At Sulzer, we deliver advanced process solutions for the efficient production and purification of renewable fuels. Our portfolio includes technologies and proprietary equipment for distillation and dehydration, engineered to maximize heat integration, reduce energy consumption, and ensure high product purity. Designed for scalability and operational robustness, our technologies enable producers to meet demanding performance and sustainability targets across a wide range of bio-based applications.
Main applications of biofuels industry
Bioethanol
- Fuel-grade and anhydrous ethanol, Pharma- and industrial-grade ethanol, 1G to 4G feedstocks, Fusel oil, acetic acid and lactic acid valorization
Renewable diesel & SAF (HEFA)
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Renewable diesel (HVO), Used cooking oil, animal fats, tallow, DCO, Feedstock pretreatment
Biodiesel
- FAME distillation (EN 14214, ASTM D6751), Ultra-low-sulfur biodiesel, Methanol recovery, Glycerin refining
Key challenges across the biofuels value chain
Operating in today’s chemical sector means addressing multiple, interconnected challenges:
Bioethanol: energy efficiency
Minimize steam consumption and reduce utility costs with advanced heat integration and process electrification.
Bioethanol: sustainability & compliance
Support low-carbon bioethanol production and meet environmental regulations with optimized purification technologies.
Bioethanol: high purity & versatility
Achieve fuel, pharma, and industrial-grade bioethanol with tailored distillation and dehydration solutions.
Bioethanol: reliable & scalable operations
Benefit from proven designs, skid-mounted systems, and process guarantees for both greenfield and brownfield projects.
SAF & renewable diesel: feedstock variability & quality
Waste-derived and biogenic feedstocks often contain contaminants and exhibit wide compositional variability. Optional pretreatment technology allows processing of highly contaminated feedstocks.
SAF & renewable diesel: high yields
Hydrotreating biogenic oils and fats removes oxygen and produces paraffinic fuels with full compatibility with existing infrastructure and lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
SAF & renewable diesel: reactor control
Advanced liquid-full reactor designs and integrated hydrogen management improve process control, extend catalyst life, and reduce operational risk.
SAF & renewable diesel: economics & speed to market
Rapid project execution (under 24 months) and payback typically under three years through modular concepts, optimized equipment design, and reduced total cost of ownership.
Biodiesel: ultra-low sulfur compliance
Achieve <10 ppm sulfur to meet global fuel regulations and reduce emissions.
Biodiesel: improved cold flow performance
Lower monoglycerides to enhance CFPP and ensure winter-grade biodiesel quality.
Biodiesel: efficient recovery of valuable streams
Recover high-purity methanol and glycerin with minimal energy consumption.
Biodiesel: feedstock flexibility & consistent quality
Process diverse inputs from waste oils to animal fats while maintaining product quality across seasons and regions.
Bioethanol: anti-fouling tray technology (VG™-AF and UFM™-AF valves) and MellapakPlus™ structured packing with up to 10× lower pressure drop than trays; advanced dehydration systems reaching <100 ppm water and >99.99% ethanol purity; steam consumption reduced by up to 95% and CO₂ emissions cut by up to 100% through heat pumps with COP values between 7 and 20; skid-mounted turnkey units with full process guarantees; side-stream valorization of fusel oil, acetic acid, and lactic acid; thousands of references since 1984.
Renewable diesel and SAF: Sulzer technologies handle diverse lipid feeds, including used cooking oil (UCO), animal fats, tallow, and distillers corn oil (DCO), without sacrificing performance. Liquid-full reactor designs and integrated hydrogen management reduce operational risk, while modular concepts enable project execution in under 24 months with payback typically under three years.
Biodiesel: complete process solutions including proprietary separation equipment, skid-mounted systems, and advanced distillation units. Our technology enables high FAME yield, low operating costs, and reliable performance, from methanol recovery to glycerin refining.
Our solutions for biofuel industry
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Explore some of our references for biofuel industry
Petrochemical
Petrochemical Refinery
Challenge:
Optimization of refining processes
Solution:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Technology:
95+ Heater
Results:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Petrochemical
Petrochemical Refinery - 95+Heater™ - Shell
Challenge:
Optimization of refining processes
Solution:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Solution:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Results:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Petrochemical
Challenge:
Optimization of refining processes
Solution:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Solution:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
Results:
Installation of high-efficiency pumps and intelligent control system
150+ Years Experience
Proven track record in chemical process engineering and equipment manufacturing.
Global Presence
Worldwide support network with local expertise and rapid response capabilities.
Quality Assurance
ISO certified processes and rigorous quality control for reliable, safe operations.