ARGENT ENERGY LAUNCHES TECHNICAL-GRADE, BIO-BASED GLYCERINE FOR THE CHEMICAL MARKET

Argent Energy, a leading European biofuels manufacturer, has officially launched Europe’s largest facility dedicated to producing bio-based, technical-grade glycerine at its Port of Amsterdam site.

The state-of-the-art refinery will upgrade crude glycerine, a by-product of Argent’s waste-based biodiesel process, into 99.7% pure technical-grade glycerine. 

This development, set to produce 50,000 tons of bio-based glycerine, provides chemical producers, for which glycerine is an important product, with an opportunity to use a bio-based alternative that provides clear environmental benefits over conventional options.

Argent Energy’s bio-based glycerine, suitable for a wide range of technical applications, offers a replacement for several petrochemicals, giving industries the opportunity to embrace a circular economy and reduce their reliance on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks.

Louise Calviou, CEO of Argent Energy said at the launch: “We are delighted to officially launch the new glycerine refinery as part of our expansion to our biodiesel facility in the port of Amsterdam, which will create over 30 new jobs once complete. Our entrance into the chemical market is driven by our goal to maximise product value and support the circular economy. By upgrading glycerine from our processes into a technical-grade product, we’re giving the chemical industry a bio-based option they can confidently use in their own products.”

In attendance at the official launch was Esther Rommel, Provincial Executive Member for Spatial Development, Economy, Ports, and Recreation in North Holland, who said of the development: “The province of North Holland wants to be fully circular by 2050. I am therefore proud of companies like Argent that invest in the port and contribute to the raw materials transition. The province will support companies in their journey to circular entrepreneurship, now and in the future.”

Also present at the event was Roon van Maanen, Director Energy and Circular Industry at Port of Amsterdam, stating: “The Port of Amsterdam is proud of this sustainable initiative by Argent Energy in the Amsterdam port area. The opening of the glycerine plant is a big step towards a circular economy where by-products are upgraded to a new technical-grade product. This fits perfectly into our strategy to be a leading European seaport, focusing on the transition to a sustainable society.”

The glycerine is made from the biodiesel production process. Fully certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), the product is fully traceable, ensuring the highest sustainability standards.

Argent Energy currently produces over 190,000 tons of waste-based biodiesel per year, supplying it to international markets for road transport, marine, and power generation. Argent Energy continues to scale up its operations and decarbonisation efforts, with plans to soon triple biofuel production at its Amsterdam site alone.

The new glycerine refinery includes full distillation and polishing techniques to achieve the high-purity product, with dedicated tanks, pipelines, and loading bays to avoid cross-contamination.

For more information about Argent Energy’s bio-based technical-grade glycerine, please visit www.argentenergy.com.