11-03-2022

Vandelay Ventures selects BioFlux® from Sulzer Chemtech

Sulzer Chemtech will provide a BioFlux® technology package to support the creation of the Sabah Maju Jaya Renewable Energy Industrial Complex (SMJREIC) in Malaysia. This new state-of-the-art facility will produce sustainable fuels with limited greenhouse gases emissions by using locally-sourced, renewable feedstock. By leveraging Sulzer Chemtech’s leading expertise in innovative licensed technologies, the new plant located at Sapangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, will deliver an annual production capacity of 250’000 tonnes.

Vandelay Ventures Sdn Bhd has preselected Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology) to be the preferred process technology provider for the main processes at the ambitious 10’000 m2 processing complex in Kota Kinabalu. This will utilize plant-based oils for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel (HVO) and renewable naphtha as a byproduct. More precisely, the SMJREIC’s infrastructure will rely on the proprietary BioFlux® technology offered by Sulzer Chemtech in cooperation with Duke Technologies for the conversion of various pretreated feedstocks to either HVO or SAF while generating much lower emissions than conventional processes.

The unit will complement the centralized edible oil bulking terminal, which will have an annual capacity of 30’000 tonnes, and supply high-quality feed the HVO/SAF plant, with capacity of 250’000 tonnes per year. In addition to this key technology, Sulzer Chemtech will provide engineering services as well as installation, commissioning and startup support.

The company was selected for its leading expertise in sustainable manufacturing technologies as well as the ability to provide the BioFlux® licensed solution. Bioflux®, developed by Duke Technologies LLC in the US and licensed by Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology) globally, is the only licensed technology with an innovative liquid phase full reactor design that maximizes hydrogen availability and eliminates the vapor recycle loop. This significantly reduces the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenses (OPEX) while improving yield and catalyst life.

Haji Mohamed Mohar, CEO at Vandelay Ventures Sdn Bhd, comments: “Our goal to build an energy complex to help drive forward Malaysia’s decarbonisation efforts and economic development needs to be backed by state-of-the-art technology. Sulzer Chemtech and BioFlux® were the obvious choices to help us make SMJREIC a reality. We look forward to starting operations and producing high-quality biodiesel.”

Chan KorWeai, Commercial Director Asia Pacific for Global Technology Business at Sulzer Chemtech, concludes: “We are excited to support such a visionary project that aims to drive up renewable fuel production and usage in Malaysia. In particular, as a native of this country and working for Sulzer Chemtech for many years, I am proud to be leveraging advanced technologies to sustainably fuel the local economy and generate future-oriented job opportunities. We look forward to supporting more ambitious green projects such as SMJREIC.”