DS Danseok Begins Construction of HVO Feedstock Refinery with Annual Capacity of 300,000 Tons

Simultaneous Operation of 1st Generation Biodiesel Facility at Pyeongtaek 1 Plant
Targeting Initial Production in August 2024

Groundbreaking Ceremony for HVO Feedstock Refining Plant. Photo by DS Danseok

Resource circulation specialist DS Danseok announced on the 14th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 2nd generation biodiesel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) raw material refining plant within its Plant 1 located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

DS Danseok's HVO raw material refining plant will be constructed by demolishing and expanding the existing office building within Pyeongtaek Plant 1. With a total investment of 35.7 billion KRW, the plant is scheduled to be completed by July next year, aiming for pilot production in August. Through this expansion of the HVO raw material refining plant, the annual pretreated raw material production capacity will reach approximately 300,000 tons.

The HVO raw material refining plant will operate alongside the existing biodiesel plant currently running at Pyeongtaek Plant 1. The company expects synergistic effects such as ▲reduction in manufacturing costs ▲decrease in construction expenses ▲ease of obtaining permits.

DS Danseok cited the ongoing generational shift in biodiesel as the reason for expanding the HVO raw material refining plant.

The existing 1st generation biodiesel (methanol-catalyzed FAME) primarily uses vegetable oils and recovered oils as raw materials, is highly sensitive to raw material quality, and has lower quality compared to regular diesel. In contrast, the 2nd generation biodiesel (HVO) can also use animal fats as main raw materials, is less sensitive to raw material quality, and has quality similar to regular diesel, making blending easier.

Han Seung-wook, Chairman of DS Danseok, said, "Starting with the groundbreaking ceremony for the HVO raw material supply refining plant, a 500,000-ton scale plant for HVO production itself, not just pretreated raw materials, will be established by 2026." He added, "DS Danseok will continue to secure new eco-friendly growth engines based on its 1st generation biodiesel export capabilities and solidify its position as a leading resource circulation company."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.