Celtic Renewables, a Scottish company focused on green chemicals, has taken a significant step towards establishing a large-scale biorefinery in Grangemouth. The company has enlisted the engineering design consultancy Allen Associates to conduct a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study, which will refine the plans for the new facility. This biorefinery is projected to have a production capacity ten times greater than Celtic’s current demonstrator plant.

The FEED study, which is expected to last seven months, will enhance the accuracy of cost estimates and solidify the project timeline and execution strategy. This phase is crucial for verifying the business model associated with the new facility, including anticipated revenue streams.

Celtic Renewables employs the ABE fermentation process to convert by-products and waste from the food, drink, and agricultural sectors into bio-acetone, bio-butanol, and bio-ethanol—low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel-derived chemicals. The CEO of Celtic Renewables, Mark Simmers, emphasized the importance of this project in scaling up production to meet the increasing global demand for sustainable chemical alternatives.

Allen Associates, part of the Forsyths Group, has extensive experience in the Scotch whisky industry, having collaborated with over 100 distilleries. Their expertise is seen as beneficial for the design of the biorefinery, which will utilize similar technologies and processes. Simmers noted that the Grangemouth facility will be the company’s first commercial-scale operation and could serve as a model for future green chemical production facilities both in the UK and internationally.

The partnership between Celtic Renewables and Allen Associates is framed as a collaboration between two successful Scottish businesses, contributing to local job creation and utilizing regional supply chains. Scott Allen, Managing Director at Allen Associates, highlighted the synergy between the two companies, which is rooted in their geographical proximity and complementary expertise.

Simmers also pointed out that the new biorefinery aligns with the Scottish and UK Governments’ objectives for a just transition in the Grangemouth area, moving away from its historical reliance on refining and petrochemicals towards a greener economy that promises high-value employment opportunities.

As the project progresses, it reflects broader trends in the chemical industry towards sustainability and the circular economy, addressing the urgent need for alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. The establishment of this biorefinery could play a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of chemical production in Scotland and beyond.