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Total starts up La Mède biorefinery
Total has started production at the La Mède biorefinery complex in south-eastern France, with the first batches of biofuel coming off the line.
The converted former oil refinery now encompasses a biorefinery with a capacity of 500,000 t/y of biofuel; an 8 MW solar farm; a unit to produce 50,000 cm/y of AdBlue®, an additive that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from trucks; a logistics and storage hub with a capacity of 1.3mn cm/y; and a training centre offering real facilities and able to host 2,500 learners a year.
Launched in 2015, the project represents a capital expenditure of €275mn.
La Mède will produce both biodiesel and biojet fuel for the aviation industry. Designed to process all types of oil, its biofuels will be made 60–70% from first generation sources claimed to be 100% sustainable vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm, sunflower, etc) and 30–40% from treated waste (animal fats, cooking oil, residues, etc), to promote a circular economy.
As part of an agreement with the French government in May 2018, Total has pledged to process no more than 300,000 t/y of palm oil – less than 50% of the total volume of raw materials needed – and at least 50,000 tonnes of French-grown rapeseed, creating another market for domestic agriculture.
All the oils processed will be certified sustainable to European Union standards.
La Mède biorefinery
Photo: Total
