S-OIL announced on January 29 that it has begun incorporating waste cooking oil, bio-based materials, and pyrolysis oil from plastic waste into its refining processes. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – S-OIL announced on January 29 that it has begun incorporating waste cooking oil, bio-based materials, and pyrolysis oil from plastic waste into its refining processes.
This marks the first time a domestic refiner in South Korea has integrated bio-based materials into its refining operations, aiming to produce low-carbon and eco-friendly products.
The initiative involves blending bio-based materials such as waste cooking oil and palm by-products, along with pyrolysis oil from plastics, with crude oil in the existing refining process.
The goal is to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low-carbon fuels, as well as eco-friendly petrochemical raw materials, which have a lower carbon intensity.
S-OIL received regulatory sandbox approval for processing pyrolysis oil from plastic waste and bio-based materials in July and December of last year, respectively. The company quickly completed the installation of necessary equipment for material input and commenced the process.
Over the next two years, S-OIL plans to adjust the mixing ratio of these alternative materials, evaluate the impact on the overall product yield and the refining process, and expand the production of eco-friendly products.
In response to the global decarbonization trend, S-OIL formed a ‘Green Hydrogen and Bio-Fuel Business Partnership’ with Samsung C&T in 2021 and established a partnership with recycling firm DS Dansk to build a supply chain for eco-friendly low-carbon fuels and chemical product raw materials last December.
An S-OIL representative stated, “To fully launch our eco-friendly energy and chemical business, we are working on obtaining international certification for low-carbon products (ISCC) produced with alternative materials. We aim to quantify the carbon emission reduction effects and contribute to the government’s green energy policy and the creation of a circular economy.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
