The port focuses on the circular economy and bio-based applications. Cargill, that already produces biodiesel from oilseeds in Ghent at its subsidiary Bioro, participates in this project.
It is stated that it will be the first in Europe able to produce biodiesel from raw materials such as fatty acids resulting from the refining of vegetable oils, liquid residues from industrial processes and even fat from sewage sludge. Cargill is employing cutting-edge technology to this end.
Roger Janson, head of Agricultural Supply Chain commented that
The new European directive puts the transition to advanced biofuels from waste and residues high on the agenda. There will be increasing demand for plants capable of processing more complex raw materials.
Concluding, the plant uses recycled products that would previously have been discarded or used for low-value applications, and represents an investment of $150 million, or over €125 million. The new factory will also create additional employment, about twenty jobs directly and sixty indirectly in the Ghent region.
