PROCESS Worldwide brings to you the ‘Top 10 plant engineering projects of July 2023’ from all over the world. Right from Petrofac securing a 700-million-dollar EPC contract to Cepsa developing the world’s first production plant for renewable isopropanol, find out all the projects making headlines here.
At a glance: Plant engineering projects from across the globe.
(Source; Констянтин Батыльчук - stock.adobe.com)
Petrofac Wins 700 Million Dollar EPC Contract
The contract, awarded to Petrofac Emirates, is valued at approximately 700 million dollars and involves the EPC of a new gas compressor plant.
(Source; Petrofac)
July 05 – Petrofac has been selected by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) subsidiary, Adnoc Gas Processing, to undertake a significant new Engineering, Procurement and Construction project at its Habshan Complex. The contract, awarded to Petrofac Emirates, is valued at approximately 700 million dollars and involves the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of a new gas compressor plant. Comprising three gas compressor trains, associated utilities and power systems, the new plant will support Adnoc to substantially increase gas output from the Habshan Complex, West of Abu Dhabi.
Elie Lahoud, Chief Operating Officer, Petrofac Engineering & Construction commented: “Petrofac has a long and strong track record of supporting Adnoc in the UAE, rooted in our steadfast commitment to maximizing local delivery, investing in the local supply chain, and developing local teams. This focus on In-Country Value will once again underpin our approach to delivery for Adnoc on the strategically significant Habshan Complex.”
Hycc Selects Mcphy, Technip Energies to Develop Green Hydrogen Project
Djewels will be the first plant at this scale using ‘Augmented Mclyzer’ technology from Mcphy with higher current density, providing flexibility in production with reduced spatial requirements.
(Source; Hycc)
July 06 – Djewels will be a state-of-art electrolysis facility located in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The plant will be operated by Hycc using electrolyzers from Mcphy to produce up to 3,000 tons of green hydrogen per year from renewable power and water. The green hydrogen can be used by OCI Methanol Europe for the production of renewable methanol to reduce CO2-emissions by up to 27,000 tons per year. Other companies supporting the project include Gasunie, Denora and Hinicio.
Djewels will be the first plant at this scale using ‘Augmented Mclyzer’ technology from Mcphy with higher current density, providing flexibility in production with reduced spatial requirements. This is an important development to enable the scale-up of green hydrogen production in support of the decarbonization of European industries and climate goals.
Djewels is a flagship project for the Province of Groningen and the wider Hydrogen Valley in the Northern Netherlands, supporting sustainable development of regional industries. Its development was supported by the regional Waddenfonds. The project also receives support from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (former FCH-JU) and has applied for a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to support the deployment of this innovative technology.
Marcel Galjee, Managing Director of Hycc: “Green hydrogen production needs to significantly scale-up in the coming years if we want to reach the European climate goals for 2030. This means we need to deploy innovative technology at scale to gain practical experience. The work of Technip Energies and technology from Mcphy allow us to do exactly that.”
Wood Wins Contract for Europe’s Largest High-Purity Manganese Processing Facility
This unique and innovative project involves the processing of historic mine tailings, traditionally a waste product, to extract manganese deposits from a decommissioned mine.
(Source; Pixabay)
July 07 – Wood has been awarded a major award by Euro Manganese to deliver a unique mineral project critical to the energy transition. This cost-reimbursable contract will be delivered by Wood’s Projects business unit and is in line with Wood’s end market growth strategy.
Wood will deliver front end engineering and design (Feed) and EPCM solutions for Europe’s largest proposed high-purity manganese processing facility as part of the Chvaletice Manganese Project, in the Czech Republic. This unique and innovative project involves the processing of historic mine tailings, traditionally a waste product, to extract manganese deposits from a decommissioned mine.
Manganese is recognized as an essential mineral used in most lithium-ion batteries and the European Commission recently included it on its list of critical minerals. The Chvaletice site is the only significant identified source of manganese in the European Union. Demand for manganese is forecast to increase almost eight-fold over the next ten years in response to the dramatic uptake in electric vehicle adoption making the need for sustainable mining solutions critical.
The combined FEED and EPCM contract have a duration of approximately four years and will be delivered collaboratively by Wood’s Project teams in Perth, Australia and Milan, Italy.
Cepsa to Develop World’s First Production Plant for Renewable Isopropanol
Cepsa strengthens its chemical business with the construction in Huelva of the first production plant of isopropyl alcohol, or isopropanol, from renewable or circular materials.
(Source; Cepsa)
July 13 – Cepsa strengthens its chemical business with the construction in Huelva of the first production plant of isopropyl alcohol, or isopropanol, from renewable or circular materials, which will make it the most competitive, innovative, and environmentally friendly facility of its kind in the world.
Date: 08.12.2025
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Isopropanol is a product with disinfectant properties and with significant added value that is in high international demand and which, among many other uses, is the basis for hydroalcoholic gels. It is also used in the medical-pharmaceutical sector, and in cleaning products, electronics, cosmetics, paints or as a solvent.
The project, to be developed by Cepsa Química, will be the first facility of its kind to replace the fossil-based raw materials currently used in the production of isopropanol with sustainable materials. Cepsa Química thus expands its platform of Next products from renewable raw materials and green energies, such as Nextlab and Nextphenol.
The new plant, which will require an investment of 75 million euros, will be operational in 2025 and will be located at Cepsa's chemical plant in Huelva. The new facility reinforces Cepsa's commitment to innovation, strengthens its leadership position in the chemical sector and consolidates its commitment to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
Sumitomo, Rio Tinto to Develop Hydrogen Pilot Plant for Lower Carbon Alumina Refining
Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery in Gladstone, Australia.
July 17 – Sumitomo Corporation and Rio Tinto have agreed to build a pilot plant in Gladstone, Queensland to trial using hydrogen to replace natural gas in the alumina refining process. Sumitomo Corporation and Rio Tinto have been proceeding with a study for the construction of a hydrogen pilot plant at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery in Gladstone under a partnership in Aug 2021. Sumitomo Corporation completed its front-end engineering and design study (Feed) in March 2022.
The 111 million Australian dollar joint Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Corporation Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination Pilot Demonstration Program is the first of its kind in the world to trial using hydrogen in the refinery calcination process. It will consist of a hydrogen plant at the refinery and retrofit of processing equipment and will be co-funded through a 32 million Australian dollar grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (hereinafter, Arena).
Sumitomo Corporation will own and operate a 2.5 MW electrolyzer at Yarwun alumina refinery and supply the hydrogen to one of Rio Tinto Yarwun’s calciners to operate with a hydrogen burner directly. The electrolyzer will have a production capacity of more than 250 tonnes of hydrogen annually. Construction will start in 2024 and the hydrogen plant and calciner are expected to be in operation by 2025. If successful, the project will demonstrate the viability of using hydrogen in the calcination process and could pave the way for adoption at scale across the industry worldwide.
Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations Managing Director, Armando Torres said, “This pilot plant is an important step in testing whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in Queensland alumina refineries. At Rio Tinto we have put the energy transition at the heart of our business strategy, and this is one of the ways we’re working towards decarbonizing our operations. We are proud to be developing this new technology here in Gladstone, in partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, and with support from Arena.”
JM, Doosan Enerbility to Develop Integrated Solutions for Hydrogen-Fuelled Power Plants
JM and Doosan are working together on technology to allow use of low carbon ammonia as a hydrogen source.
(Source; JM)
July 19 – Johnson Matthey (JM) and Doosan Enerbility, a leading expert in the power industry, are jointly developing integrated solutions for hydrogen-fuelled power plants in South Korea. The joint development agreement follows the MOU signed in December 2022 and supports the South Korean Government’s plans to increase the share of clean hydrogen-based power generation from 0 % in 2022 to 2.1 % by 2030 and 7.1 % by 2036.
Using hydrogen for power generation helps to reduce CO2 emissions. JM and Doosan are working together on technology to allow use of low carbon ammonia as a hydrogen source. Low carbon ammonia has been chosen because it can be transported globally more easily than pure hydrogen. Ammonia is then converted to hydrogen through cracking and used to power turbines.
Analysis from the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials shows that using ammonia cracking technology to enable hydrogen-fuelled turbines could reduce carbon emissions by over 21 % when a gas turbine is fired up with 50 % hydrogen. Doosan Enerbility are working on a 100 % hydrogen gas turbine, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions even further. Doosan Enerbility expects to complete the development of the 380 MW 100 % hydrogen gas turbine by 2027.
JM will provide engineering services alongside its ammonia cracking technology and catalyst. The clean hydrogen produced by this technology can be used to power turbines within pure or partial hydrogen-fired combined cycle power plants. Doosan will provide their latest development in hydrogen gas turbine technology for clean power generation.
This joint development project aims to maximize efficiency through deep integration of the technologies.
European Energy Selects Clariant’s Catalyst for World’s Largest e-Methanol Plant
Megamax was chosen as it is proven to deliver high activity and stability under the challenging conditions of CO2-to-methanol conversion.
(Source; Clariant)
July 25 – Clariant Catalysts continues to drive energy transition lighthouse projects. European Energy selected Clariant´s methanol synthesis catalyst Megamax for the world’s largest e-methanol project. Located in Kasso, Denmark, the facility is scheduled to start operations by the end of 2023. It will have the capacity to produce 32,000 tons of e-methanol annually from carbon dioxide using Clariant’s catalyst.
Megamax was chosen as it is proven to deliver high activity and stability under the challenging conditions of CO2-to-methanol conversion. A large portion of the plant’s annual yield is already allocated to the maritime giant Maersk for powering its first-ever carbon-neutral fleet. The remaining green methanol will be supplied to the Lego Group and Novo Nordisk.
Clariant’s Megamax is an ideal solution for European Energy’s Power-to-Methanol project, as it provides the enhanced stability required for green methanol production. The catalyst also offers outstanding activity – even at very low reactor temperatures and pressures. Moreover, Megamax is very well suited to pure CO2 conditions, delivering high conversion rates when combined with green H2 feed. The catalyst’s superior selectivity also prevents the formation of by-products in the yield, which greatly improves the sustainability and economics of green methanol synthesis.
Mc Dermott Wins MSA Contract for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facilities
Under the scope of the MSA, Mc Dermott will provide engineering, execution planning and pricing for the EPC phase of Gevo's Net-Zero 1 project.
(Source; Pixabay)
July 25 – Mc Dermott has secured a master services agreement (MSA) from Gevo to provide front end engineering and early planning services for Gevo's development of multiple sustainable aviation fuel facilities in North America. The first facility, Net-Zero 1, is expected to be constructed near Lake Preston, South Dakota. The Net-Zero 1 plant is expected to produce up to 65 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), diesel and renewable gasoline that, when consumed, is expected to have a lifecycle net-zero greenhouse gas footprint.
Under the scope of the MSA, Mc Dermott will provide engineering, execution planning and pricing for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phase of Gevo's Net-Zero 1 project. The MSA is expected to lead to a final EPC agreement with Gevo for its Net-Zero 1 project to be finalized in coordination with the timing of Gevo's financing activities for its Net-Zero 1 project.
The Net-Zero 1 plant will not only contribute to sustainable aviation fuel production but also has the potential to generate 550 million pounds of high-value nutritional products annually. The electricity needed to power the plant will come from wind energy, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to fuel production. Additionally, the thermal energy needs of the plant are expected to be met by renewable natural gas (RNG) sourced from upstream facilities that produce RNG using manure from dairy cattle and livestock.
The project will be led by Mc Dermott's team in Houston, Texas, with support from its engineering team in Gurugram, India.
Toshiba Materials to Develop New Production Facility for Silicon Nitride Balls
Toshiba Materials: Image of silicon nitride balls.
(Source; Business Wire)
July 27 – Toshiba Materials Co. has recently announced a major investment in a new production facility that will significantly boost production capacity for silicon nitride balls. The facility will be constructed at the company’s Oita Operations in northern Kyushu, Japan, and the 7-billion-yen project (approx. 50 million dollar) is expected to come online in January 2026.
Continued advances in automobile electrification require performance improvements and solutions that go beyond higher voltage batteries and shorter charging times. One measure to improve performance is to integrate motors, inverters and decelerators. Although this increases the risk of electrolytic corrosion in motor bearings, it is a problem that can be overcome with hybrid bearings with ceramic balls with steel inner and outer races. The added advantages of excellent strength, superior wear resistance and insulation properties are increasingly positioning ceramic balls as the solution of choice.
Toshiba Materials is proactively investing in increased production of silicon nitride balls for electric vehicles. In July 2022, the company announced a production expansion at its headquarters site in Yokohama that boosted production by 50 %. When the new Oita facility reaches full capacity, production capabilities will be 2.5 times that of the 2022 level.
Toshiba Materials will continue stable supply of high-quality products, and will contribute to increased use of environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
Andritz Wins Feed Contract for Green Hydrogen Plant
Expert for large-scale plants: model view of an Andritz hydrogen plant.
July 28 – Koppö Energia of Finland has selected international technology group Andritz to perform the Front-End Engineering Design (Feed) for a large-scale plant to produce green hydrogen. This order is a milestone in Andritz’s strategy to become one of the world’s leading industrial partners for large-scale green hydrogen production plants.
The plant, with a capacity of 200 MW, will be built in Kristinestad, Finland as part of a Power-to-X project. The customer, Koppö Energia, is a joint venture of Germany-based Prime Capital, a renowned asset manager specializing in alternative energy projects, and CPC Finland, a subsidiary of project developer and green power producer CPC Germania.
The Front-End Engineering Design provided by Andritz will include the complete hydrogen plant, incorporating the alkaline electrolyzer technology of Hydrogenpro. Based on the design, the joint venture intends to place the order for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the green hydrogen production plant at the beginning of 2024.
The hydrogen in Kristinestad will be produced using renewable energy, mainly wind power. Up to 500 MW of wind and 100 MW of photovoltaics power will be developed under the Koppö Energy Cluster to supply the green hydrogen plant with electricity.
Hydrogen produced from renewable sources is considered a virtually carbon-free energy carrier, making it a vital component in combating climate change. The plan for the green hydrogen produced in Kristinestad is to process it into sustainable liquefied synthetic methane (SLSM) for fueling heavy transport in a sustainable way.