European Chemical Industry News & Insights

CEPSA and Bio Oils to Build Biodiesel Plant in Huelva, Spain

At a glance
  • The investment is projected to total €40 million and will create 35 direct jobs.
  • The plant will produce 200,000 tons of biodiesel annually, operational by late 2007.
  • Biodiesel will be blended at 5% with regular automotive diesel.
  • CEPSA's projects aim to reduce Spain's reliance on foreign energy sources.

Investment and Job Creation

CEPSA and BIO OILS Energy S.L. have agreed to build a biodiesel production facility at CEPSA’s “La Rábida” Refinery in Palos de La Frontera, Huelva. The project involves an investment of €40 million and will create 35 direct jobs.

Production Capacity and Process

The new plant will have the capacity to produce 200,000 tons of biodiesel per year, which will be fully allocated to the “La Rábida” Refinery. The biodiesel will be produced using vegetable oils and blended at a 5% level with regular automotive diesel.

Timeline and Expansion

The plant is scheduled to come on-stream in late 2007. It will meet the refinery’s current and future needs, following an expansion that will increase middle distillate production capacity by 2.7 million tons per year.

Strategic Goals

This project, along with a similar one at CEPSA’s “Gibraltar” Refinery in San Roque, Cádiz, will contribute to a combined production of 400,000 tons of biodiesel annually. These initiatives aim to reduce Spain’s dependence on foreign energy sources and align with the Renewable Energies Plan approved by the Spanish Government.