Technology

Technology Overview

Vegan^® technology produces renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the hydrotreatment of a wide range of vegetable oils and animal fats, including used cooking oil (UCO) and Free Fatty Acids-rich feedstocks such as tall oil or Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). The technology can be easily tuned to match the required boiling range and cold flow properties of the desired product and can be balanced to produce diesel or Jet fuel from 1:0 to 0:1 to meet market demand.

Technology Description

Vegan^® is a simple two-step process combining hydrotreatment and hydro-isomerization, with a compact design. The lowest recycle ratio in hydrotreatment section allows to avoid the use of a heater in this section. Feedstock is subjected to pretreatment (hydrogenation) before being sent to subsequent processing. 

The technology  is based on catalysts specifically developped, manufactured and provided by Axens, offering the following benefits:

• Catalyst combination can ensure either max SAF or max diesel mode.
• High RD/SAF product yield with lower coproduct output and hydrogen consumption.
• High activity and selectivity to manage the inhibiting effects of CO & CO₂ from oxygen removal step
• High stability in operation for extended life span, with industrially demonstrated dedicated grading.
   

Commercial Deployment

The TotalEnergies La Mède biorefinery is a great example of the very wide feed flexibility allowed by Vegan® technology, while maintaining continuous top quality
biofuels production. 11 other Vegan® units will soon emerge and extend the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Renewable Diesel.

References

1. Axens, 6^th Oct 2023, Vegan^® Commercial Bulletin: Technology to Produce Premium Quality SAF and Biofuels from Renewable/Low Carbon Oils & Fats.
2. ifp Energies Nouvelles, Biofues and E-Fuels: Our Solutions. (accessed 20^th Mar 2025)