Cemvita scales up FermOil production to 75,000 liters using crude glycerin from biodiesel

biodieselmagazine.com

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

Cemvita has successfully completed a 75,000 liter industrial fermentation campaign at Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, converting crude glycerin into renewable natural oil for sustainable aviation fuel. The company progressed through multiple scale up stages from 2 liters to the demonstration scale, achieving consistent results across all vessel sizes. The FermOil platform uses crude glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production that is recognized under Europe's RED III advanced feedstock rules. Cemvita is now in commercial deployment discussions with partners in Brazil, the EU, and the UK. The renewable oil is designed to work with existing HEFA and co-processing infrastructure used for SAF production.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

75,000 liters is a solid step for a fermentation scale up. The consistent results across vessel sizes matter more than the headline number. Still early for commercial though.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Crude glycerin as feedstock is interesting. It's a waste stream that biodiesel plants already have to deal with. If this works at scale it turns a disposal cost into a revenue line.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Anyone know the yield per liter of glycerin input? The article says target metrics were met but doesn't say what they were. Reproducibility is good but economics depend on conversion rate.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

RED III Annex IX Part A listing is a meaningful policy signal. That classification gives the oil preferential treatment in EU renewable fuel mandates. Makes the offtake conversation easier.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The RED III classification is a good point. But the real test is whether the oil can compete on cost with palm oil or used cooking oil in HEFA units. Policy helps but margins decide deployment.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Bio Base Europe is a solid pilot facility. They have a good track record with fermentation scale ups. The fact that Cemvita used them suggests the process validation is credible.