- Construction started in November 2017 and commissioning began in October 2021.
- The plant processes 250,000 tons of straw to produce 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol annually.
- Over 900 construction workers were involved at the peak of the project.
- The project achieved over 2 million man-hours without a lost time incident.
Project Overview
Construction of Clariant's flagship biofuels plant in Podari, Romania, began in November 2017, with Bilfinger Tebodin providing engineering, project, and construction management services. The commissioning phase started in October 2021, and the project is now mechanically complete, ready for Clariant to manage the final commissioning and start-up stages, expected to conclude in early 2022.
Construction Details
The plant was built on a 10-hectare site, involving over 900 construction workers at the peak of the workload. Bilfinger Tebodin's services included cost and contract management, planning, quality control, and supervision. The project achieved over 2 million man-hours without a lost time incident, reflecting high health and safety standards managed by a joint team from Clariant and Bilfinger Tebodin.
Production Capacity
Once fully operational, the facility will process approximately 250,000 tons of straw annually to produce 50,000 tons of cellulosic ethanol. This production supports Clariant’s sunliquid® licensing business strategy. Contracts with more than 300 local farmers have been signed to ensure a steady supply of the necessary feedstock.
Challenges and Achievements
For Clariant, this project marked its first investment in Romania. Establishing a new organizational structure, finding a suitable site, and navigating a complex approval process were significant challenges. Bilfinger Tebodin's project experience in Romania was crucial for successful implementation. The close cooperation between Clariant Romania and Bilfinger Tebodin was key to the project's success.
