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Mitsui to invest in Renewable Diesel and SAF Production Business in Portugal

Sep. 25, 2023


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Mitsui & Co., Ltd. ("Mitsui", Head Office: Tokyo, President and CEO: Kenichi Hori) has agreed to invest in a renewable diesel (hydrotreated vegetable oil/HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production business operated by Galp SGPS, S.A. ("Galp"), Portugal's biggest energy company. A joint venture company will be established once necessary authorities' clearances are obtained. Galp will own 75% of its shares and Mitsui 25%.

Produced from waste residues feedstock such as used cooking oil and animal fats, HVO is used as an alternative diesel fuel for vehicles with internal combustion engines, such as buses and trucks. SAF is an alternative jet fuel for use in aircrafts. Both are environmental-friendly fuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Demand for HVO and SAF is expected to be growing, especially in Europe where policies to encourage the use of biofuels are introduced.

As the only oil refiner in Portugal, Galp has been operating the Sines Refinery since 1978. The Lisbon-based company has been stepping up its investment in the energy transition field and pursuing fuel conversion initiatives. This project will involve the construction of facilities within the Sines Refinery, which are capable of being switched between HVO and SAF production modes. With the first HVO production in the end of 2025, the commercial operation date of the project is expected in 2026, and it is anticipated that the facilities will also be used to produce SAF, demand for which is expected to increase over the long period of time. In addition to its investment in the production business, Mitsui will also take responsibility for the overall value chain, including the procurement of feedstocks, primarily from Asia, and the sales of the products.

Mitsui has identified Global Energy Transition as a key strategic initiative in its Medium-term Management Plan 2026. Through its participation in this HVO/SAF business, Mitsui aims to build and expand its next generation fuel business portfolio in diesel fuel, which accounts for the largest market in the area of transportation fuels, as well as in aviation fuel. Mitsui will continue tackling climate change, urgent and complex global challenges, through cross-industry initiatives.

Company Profile

Official name Galp SGPS, S.A.
Head office location Lisbon, Portugal
Established 1999
Representative Filipe Silva (CEO)
Number of employees 6,715 (2022)
Business activities International energy business
1. Development/production of oil and gas
2. Refinery business and downstream sales
3. Energy transition-related business activities (e.g., conversion of own refinery to biofuel operations, accumulation of renewable energy sources)

Galp's Sines Refinery in Portugal

Galp's Sines Refinery in Portugal


Mitsui’s Materiality

“Build brighter futures, everywhere” as our corporate mission, and to gain the trust and expectations of our stakeholders to realize a better tomorrow for earth and for people around the world, we have identified five material issues (“Materiality”) for Mitsui’s sustainable growth. We anticipate this particular project/ business to contribute especially to the realization of “Create an eco-friendly society”

  • Secure sustainable supply of essential products

    Secure sustainable supply of essential products

  • Enhance quality of life

    Enhance quality of life

  • Create an eco-friendly society

    Create an eco-friendly society

  • Develop talent leading to value creation

    Develop talent leading to value creation

  • Build an organization with integrity

    Build an organization with integrity

Information

For inquiries on this matter, please contact

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Division
Telephone: +81-80-5912-0321
Facsimile: +81-3-3285-9819
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