Neste Oil Begins Construction of Rotterdam NExBTL Plant

26 May 2009

Neste Oil laid the foundation stone for its NExBTL renewable diesel plant in the Port of Rotterdam. Upon completion, the plant will be the largest renewable diesel plant in Europe with an annual production capacity of 800,000 metric tonnes (about 245 million gallons, or 5.8 million barrels). The investment cost of the plant is estimated to be €670 million (US$936 million).

With this plant in the Netherlands, Neste Oil will become the leading renewable diesel producer supplying Europe from the Netherlands. Our investment also signals Neste Oil’s commitment to driving forward latest innovation with our NExBTL technology in Europe.

—Matti Lievonen, President and CEO of Neste Oil

The building of Europe’s largest renewable diesel plant in Rotterdam port further strengthens the harbour’s position as the leading biofuels hub in Europe.

NExBTL, based on the high-pressure hydrogenation of fatty acids (earlier post), contributes to 40-80 % reduction in CO₂ emissions and independent research has proven that it significantly reduces tail pipe emissions.

In its current NExBTL production in Finland, Neste Oil uses palm oil, rapeseed oil and waste animal fat sourced from the food industry as feedstock. Neste Oil is dedicated to sustainability in its feedstock sourcing, reflected e.g. in Neste Oil’s commitment to solely using certified palm oil by the end of 2015 or even before that if sufficient volumes become available. Most of Neste Oil’s research spending is used in developing new renewable raw materials.