07-10-2021

Sandvik wins first contract for renewable diesel plant

Sandvik Materials Technology a developer and producer of advanced stainless steels, special alloys, and other high-performance materials, has received the first-ever contract from a renewable diesel plant for its Sanicro® 28 high alloy austenitic stainless steel.

The reference order is for the use of Sanicro® 28 in the reactor effluent air coolers (REAC) of the hydroprocessing unit at one of the largest renewable diesel refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast, due to start production in 2023.

Sanicro® 28 is a multi-purpose austenitic stainless steel for service in extremely corrosive conditions. It was originally developed for the fertilizer industry and has been successfully used in the upstream oil and gas industry for many years. It offers excellent resistance to pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in high chloride bearing environments, making it an effective alternative to high nickel alloys such as alloy 825.

The alloy’s breakthrough into renewable energy comes after two years of intense data generation that demonstrates Sanicro® 28 also offers the corrosion and mechanical properties needed for the refining industry.

Karen Picker, Technical Marketing Engineer, Sandvik Materials Technology, said: “Identifying a new market for Sanicro® 28 is just one example of how we always strive for technology leadership through innovation and successful partnerships, which is one of our core values.

“Renewable diesel technology is fairly new and there can be some over conservatism in materials selection, which may lead to expensive over specification of nickel alloys. This first full reference order in a renewable diesel plant will hopefully bring awareness to the industry that Sanicro® 28 is a highly corrosion resistant and cost effective solution for this application.” 

Jennifer Svensson, Product Manager Heat Exchanger Tubes, Sandvik Materials Technology, added: “I am very proud of this achievement that was only made possible thanks to our long standing relationship with the refining company. Once again, they have chosen a Sandvik solution that offers the performance they look for in this challenging service. Furthermore, as sustainability is one of our key focuses, we are of course immensely pleased to see our materials supporting the renewable energy sector.”

Sandvik Materials Technology is committed to sustainability through material solutions and strives to enhance customers’ processes using engineering and innovation to meet their demanding applications. With a process using electricity that is more than 90% fossil-free and products that are made from an average of 82% recycled steel, Sandvik Materials Technology is a sustainable and technology-leading steel producer, committed to supporting renewables.