European Chemical Industry News & Insights

TotalEnergies Antwerp Platform Adapts to Energy Transition and Market Trends

At a glance
  • TotalEnergies partners with Air Liquide for a 200 MW electrolyzer project, dedicating 130 MW to produce 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2027.
  • The OranjeWind offshore wind project will supply green electricity, reducing CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year.
  • A project to produce 50,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually via coprocessing will start in 2025.
  • The oldest steam cracker in Antwerp will cease operations by end-2027 due to ethylene overcapacity.

Investment in Green Hydrogen and Renewable Energy

TotalEnergies' Antwerp platform is advancing its decarbonization efforts through a partnership with Air Liquide on a 200 MW electrolyzer project. The agreement allocates 130 MW for producing 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2027. This initiative is supported by the OranjeWind offshore wind project, which will provide green electricity, aiming to cut CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year, aligning with European renewable energy targets.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

In 2025, the Antwerp platform will begin producing 50,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually using coprocessing. This method allows for the simultaneous treatment of hydrocarbons and biomass in a conventional refining unit, aiding aviation customers in reducing their carbon footprint.

Battery Storage and Grid Balancing

The platform is enhancing its industrial operations' decarbonization through process electrification and a battery-based energy storage system. With a power rating of 25 MW and a capacity of 75 MWh, this system is TotalEnergies' largest in Europe, helping to balance Belgian and European high-voltage transmission grids and support renewable energy development.

Addressing Petrochemical Overcapacity

Faced with significant ethylene overcapacity in Europe, TotalEnergies plans to shut down its oldest steam cracker in Antwerp by the end of 2027. This decision follows the non-renewal of a major contract with a third-party ethylene user. The shutdown will allow the site to focus on a newer steam cracker, whose ethylene production is fully integrated with TotalEnergies' operations in Antwerp and Feluy. The reconfiguration will proceed without layoffs, offering affected employees options for retirement or internal transfers.

Project timeline

Planned
2025
Execution
2026 Q3
Completed
2027 Q4
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