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ORLEN, the Polish multi-energy conglomerate, has announced its successful acquisition of the KZR INiG certification, signaling its readiness to significantly expand the production of biofuel components derived from renewable feedstocks. This strategic move leverages existing refinery units to boost the proportion of renewable elements in fuels, aligning with upcoming RED III Directive requirements.
Grzegorz Jóźwiak, Executive Director for Biofuels and Hydrogen at ORLEN, commented on the development, stating, 'By using our existing refinery units, we can increase the share of renewable components in fuels while preparing to meet the requirements of the RED III Directive. This is an important part of the energy transition and of developing a domestic feedstock base for the biofuels sector.'
The KZR INiG certification scheme, recognized by the European Commission, is crucial for verifying the origin of renewable feedstocks and confirming that production processes adhere to applicable EU standards. This accreditation empowers ORLEN to further advance its co-hydrotreatment capabilities, a process where bio-based feedstocks are processed alongside traditional fossil streams within the refinery's current infrastructure. This approach allows for an increased renewable content in fuels without the need for constructing new production facilities.
Currently, ORLEN can integrate bio-based materials up to 3.5% of its feed, translating to approximately 100,000 tonnes per year (tpy) of renewable feedstocks. These materials encompass various vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil, as well as used cooking oil (UCO). The company also plans to broaden the scope of this certification to include additional oilseed crops like camelina and mustard.
Further enhancing its capabilities, ORLEN conducted trials at its Plock refinery in July 2026 to elevate the vegetable oil share in the process from 3.5% to 5%. The successful outcomes of these tests confirm the substantial potential for scaling up this technology. Following planned necessary upgrades, the refinery's capacity for processing renewable feedstocks is projected to reach approximately 150,000 tpy.
These initiatives are integral to the ORLEN Group's broader strategy for implementing the RED III Directive and its dedicated 'Biocrops for Biofuels' program. This program aims to bolster Poland's domestic feedstock supply for biofuels through partnerships with leading research institutions and agricultural partners, specifically focusing on the cultivation of crops like camelina and mustard.
The continued expansion of co-hydrotreatment, ORLEN's production capacity, and the domestic feedstock supply chain is designed to support a growing presence of renewable components in fuels. Beyond environmental benefits, these efforts are expected to fortify Poland's energy security by diversifying feedstock sources and creating new opportunities for both the Polish agricultural sector and the burgeoning biofuels industry.
Source: Hydrocarbon Engineering