- Investment in the Biorefinery project is around EUR 250m, with part expected from the EU Innovation Fund.
- In February, a license agreement was signed with AXENS for FuturolTM technology.
- A contract with De Smet Engineers & Contractors for basic engineering design was signed last year.
- Miscanthus trials for bioethanol production were conducted, with the second harvest completed in March.
Investment and Funding
INA is advancing its Sisak site transformation with a focus on the Biorefinery project, aiming to produce advanced bioethanol from biomass and green energy. The project, valued at around EUR 250 million, seeks partial funding from the European Union’s Innovation Fund. An application for strategic investment status was submitted to the Ministry of the Economy and Entrepreneurship in June.
Key Agreements
In February, INA signed a license agreement with the French group AXENS for the FuturolTM technology and a base design contract. Additionally, a contract with the Belgian company De Smet Engineers & Contractors for the basic engineering design (BED) for auxiliary facilities and integration of existing refinery infrastructure was signed at the end of last year.
Biomass Trials
INA has conducted two harvests of miscanthus at a demonstration field in Rugvica near Zagreb, in cooperation with the Bc Institute. The first harvest's biomass was tested as part of the EU project GRACE, confirming miscanthus as a suitable raw material for advanced bioethanol production. The second harvest, completed in March, involved testing agricultural machinery from renowned EU manufacturers.
Future Plans
To establish a raw materials supply chain, INA plans to invest EUR 50 million in agriculture, focusing on miscanthus plantations on abandoned agricultural land. The company intends to apply for rural development funds to support these activities. The energy contribution of the produced advanced bioethanol will be double-counted towards biofuel market goals.
Additional Developments
The INA Downstream 2023 New Course programme includes concentrating oil refining at Rijeka Refinery and transforming the Sisak site into an industrial centre. Plans for Sisak include bitumen production, lubricant production, a logistics hub, and a solar power plant. Rijeka Refinery is preparing for a residue upgrade unit and has started a test run of a propane-propylene splitter unit, with first volumes expected by the end of the month.
