Aurora delivers first pyrolysis bio-oil from Empyro

Key highlights
  • Empyro fast pyrolysis plant restarted and delivered its first load of pyrolysis bio-oil to FrieslandCampina in Borculo.
  • The bio-oil is used in industrial steam boilers alongside natural gas, replacing part of the fossil fuel used to generate steam.
  • The feedstock is certified residual wood converted into renewable bio-oil via fast pyrolysis.
  • Aurora plans an integrated biorefinery in Twente to convert residual wood into bio-based chemicals and materials; partners include BTG Bioliquids and FrieslandCampina.
Related projects For subscribers
Milestones, plant data, involved companies (owners, investors, licensors, contractors) and news — kept up to date.
Aurora Renewable Carbon Empyro Bio-Oil Restart Hengelo · The Netherlands
Operational / Completed
2025-10
2026-07-23
~2026-08
2026-10-09
Aurora Renewable Carbon Empyro Restart and Biorefinery Twente · The Netherlands
Operational / Completed
2026-07-23
2026-07-23
2026-10-09

First delivery and current use

Following the restart of the fast pyrolysis bio-oil plant Empyro, Aurora delivered its first load of pyrolysis bio-oil to FrieslandCampina in Borculo. The bio-oil is used in industrial steam boilers alongside natural gas, replacing part of the fossil fuel used to generate steam.

Feedstock and process

The product is produced by converting certified residual wood into renewable bio-oil via fast pyrolysis.

Longer-term ambition

This delivery is the first step toward developing an integrated biorefinery in Twente to unlock the full value of residual wood, moving from renewable energy today to bio-based chemicals and materials in the future and aiming to make the best use of renewable carbon.

Partners

Aurora thanked the teams at Empyro, BTG Bioliquids and FrieslandCampina for making this step possible.

Source: Aurora Renewable Carbon

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