Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel, announced that they have chosen Rotterdam as the intended location for a €1.5 billion (US$1.76 billion) investment to expand their sustainable fuels production capacity (renewable diesel and jet fuel) and raw materials for the chemicals industry.
In a statement, Port of Rotterdam said the planned expansion will be located partly on the existing site on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam and partly on a new site on Maasvlakte 2.
Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO Allard Castelein said Neste’s decision will boost the sustainability efforts at Europe’s busiest port.
"We are proud to have been chosen as Neste’s second European home port. The proposed expansion will give a major boost to the energy transition in the Port of Rotterdam’s industrial cluster ... The anticipated investments in Porthos and the hydrogen programme will guarantee the ready availability of sustainable hydrogen in Rotterdam. Moreover, Rotterdam has a cast-iron position in terms of logistics. We look forward to working with Neste on the realisation of their production facility," Castelein said.
He also added that Neste expects to have enough nitrogen space available to allow the construction of the plant and should this not be the case, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will facilitate it.
CO2 emissions to be reduced by 3.5M tons
The proposed new investment of €1.5 billion will involve the construction of a plant that will double the production capacity for renewable fuels and raw materials for the chemicals industry in the Netherlands at a single stroke.
The effects of the proposed investment will be considerable — including saving of approximately 3.5 million tons of additional carbon emissions per year.
"This production facility will put Neste in a position to reuse low-value residual and waste products. In addition to producing renewable fuels for road haulage, the proposed investment will also produce renewable raw materials for the chemicals and aviation fuel sectors," Port Rotterdam said.
The final decision on the investment is expected to be made at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
