Croatian Oil Company Pilots SAF Coprocessing at Rijeka Refinery

July 26, 2025

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(INA/Biobased Diesel Daily) For the first time in its history, Croatian oil company INA’s Rijeka refinery has produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

As part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and align with European renewable energy regulations, INA has successfully completed a pilot project to process biogenic feedstock at the hydrocracking unit of the Rijeka refinery.

In addition to SAF, a significant volume of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, was also produced.

Through the Renewable Energy Directive, the European Union has set binding targets to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and increase the share of renewable energy sources in transport.

By 2030, EU member states are required to ensure an appropriate share of renewables in the transport sector, with a particular focus on advanced biofuels and SAF, which will play a key role in decarbonizing the aviation industry.

In response to these requirements, INA said it plans to complete all preparatory activities and be ready to ensure continuous supply of SAF to the market by 2029.

The project was implemented in cooperation with the unit’s licensor, Chevron Lummus Global, with the aim of testing the coprocessing of 5 percent palm-oil mill effluent (POME) with fossil feedstocks.

The pilot project was carried out May 5-13, during which 1,000 metric tons of biogenic feedstock were processed.

The entire process was certified by the independent auditor Bureau Veritas in line with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System’s standard for sustainable biofuels.

“Processing biogenic feedstock within existing infrastructure is one of the most efficient ways to decarbonize refinery operations and increase the share of renewables in the transport sector,” said Ivica Jerbić, the director of development at INA. “Thanks to the commitment of our internal team and the collaboration with partners from MOL Group and CLG, we have successfully created the necessary preconditions to meet the future needs of the market and our customers.”

The preparation of the pilot project took eight months due to the complexity of processing a new type of feedstock and its specific physical and chemical properties.

The project involved a range of activities, from procuring specialized filters and adapting laboratory methods to increasing the capacities of the hydrocracking and vacuum-distillation units and ensuring controlled handling of the biogenic feedstock within existing operating conditions.

During the test run, more than 400 samples were collected for detailed analysis conducted at INA’s Central Testing Laboratory, while the biogenic content (C14 analysis) was carried out by accredited external laboratories—the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb and Isotoptech Zrt. in Debrecen.

“This pilot project has created the foundation for further activities and the introduction of continuous biogenic-feedstock processing at the Rijeka refinery in the near future,” said Goran Pleše, INA’s operating director of refining and marketing. “With this project, INA continues to innovate and efficiently adapt to the requirements of the new-energy era.” READ MORE

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Croatia's INA produces sustainable aviation fuel for first time (See News)
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CLG and INA Successfully Produce SAF from Biogenic Feedstock (Chevron Lummus Global/PR Newswire)
World Biodiesel Day: MOL Group successfully completes another SAF and HVO production test (MOL Group/Biodiesel Magazine)

Excerpt from Chevron Lummus Global/PR Newswire: Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) announced a successful commercial test for co-processing biogenic feedstocks and fossil feedstocks at INA Group's Rijeka Refinery in Croatia. Conducted at a CLG-licensed hydrocracking unit, the test marked the refinery's first-ever production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and also yielded hydrotreated vegetable oil renewable diesel.

"This test-run conducted at INA's hydrocracker unit, along with several other recent tests by CLG licensees, showcase how our technology can be integrated into customers' existing infrastructure to co-process a wide range of feedstocks to produce clean fuels," said Arun Arora, Chief Technology Officer, Chevron Lummus Global. "The results also underscore the flexibility and scalability of our technologies and how they help customers maximize the value of their assets while achieving their sustainability goals."

Testing involved the co-processing of 1,000 tonnes of 5% palm oil mill effluent (POME) feedstock together with fossil-based feedstocks. The process was certified by the independent certification body Bureau Veritas d.o.o., in accordance with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard for sustainable biofuels.

CLG and INA worked closely prior to the commercial test to address the complexity of processing a new type of feedstock with specific physical and chemical properties. The project involved a range of activities, from procuring special filters and adapting laboratory methods, to increasing the capacity of the hydrocracking and vacuum distillation units and ensuring controlled handling of the biogenic feedstock within existing operational conditions.

INA plans to complete all preparatory activities to be ready for the continuous market supply of sustainable aviation fuel by 2029.

About Chevron Lummus Global
Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), a joint venture between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Lummus Technology, is a leading technology provider for the production of renewable and conventional transportation fuels, premium base oils, and sustainable petrochemicals from a wide range of feedstocks. Powered by cutting-edge catalysts and innovative reactor internals, CLG's portfolio is designed to optimize efficiency and flexibility while minimizing emissions and maximizing economic returns. For more information, visit www.chevronlummus.com. READ MORE

Excerpt from MOL Group/Biodiesel Magazine: On the occasion of World Biodiesel Day, MOL Group highlights a recent milestone in its energy transition journey. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been successfully produced for the first time at INA’s Rijeka Refinery during a pilot project to process biocomponent, as well as a significant volume of renewable diesel HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). This marks the second successful SAF and HVO production test within MOL Group, following an earlier pilot at Slovnaft’s Bratislava refinery. These underscore the company’s technological readiness and strategic commitment to alternative fuel development in meeting EU climate targets and enhancing regional energy security.

The successful pilot project at the Rijeka Refinery was implemented in cooperation with Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), the licensor of the refinery’s Hydrocracking Unit, with the aim of testing the co-processing of 5% POME (palm oil mill effluent – a by-product of palm oil production) with fossil feedstocks. During the pilot, 1,000 metric tons of biogenic feedstock were processed. The entire process was certified by the independent auditor Bureau Veritas d.o.o., in line with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification standard for sustainable biofuels.

The preparation of the pilot project took eight months due to the complexity of processing a new type of feedstock and its specific physical and chemical properties. During the test run, more than 400 samples were collected for detailed analysis conducted at INA’s Central Testing Laboratory (CIL), while the biogenic content (C14 analysis) was carried out by accredited external laboratories – the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb and Isotoptech Zrt. in Debrecen.

Earlier this year, MOL Group’s Bratislava Refinery also conducted successful production tests of a diesel fuel containing HVO and SAF. HVO was produced using oil from cashew nut shells and the biocomponent produced this way was processed together with crude oil. In case of SAF, partially refined cooking oil was processed with the traditional raw material. The test proved that the Bratislava Refinery’s production unit used for the production of standard aviation kerosene is also suitable for producing sustainable aviation fuel.

MOL Group had been using the co-processing method at the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta for years: the process reduces the emissions of traditional fuels by mixing plant residues, as the bio and fossil components are processed simultaneously directly during production.

Renewable fuels play a key role in MOL Group’s SHAPE TOMORROW strategy. The company is already a key player in both the Hungarian and regional biofuel markets, with hydrotreated vegetable oil produced from waste, i.e., renewable feedstock, being among the most climate-friendly fuel options, and ranks among the pioneers in Europe when it comes to the production of aviation biofuels.

"MOL Group already produces diesel and sustainable aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks and is ready to expand the production. This readiness underscores our strategic commitment to sustainable mobility—whether in road or air transport. For us, becoming a complex mobility service provider means offering an increasingly diverse range of fuels, thus creating all the necessary conditions for a smart energy transition for our customers. We are already playing a leading role in this process in the region, and we are determined to maintain this position through continued investments and innovation,” said Csaba Zsótér, senior vice president, Fuels at MOL Group.

MOL Group is continuously researching and developing new possibilities for the production and use of biofuels. In partnership with Budapest Airport, Wizz Air, and Airport Fuel Supply Llc., MOL Group launched commercial testing of SAF in 2022 in Hungary. Building on this, the company now sells SAF as part of its regular operations in Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia, in quantities equivalent to approximately 14 kilotons of biocomponents.

SAF can only be produced from classic renewable feedstocks (such as materials of vegetable origin) or waste, but it should meet the same technical and environmental specifications as conventional kerosene. Currently, very few refineries worldwide are equipped to produce sustainable aviation fuel. The current and projected global supply of SAF falls significantly short of demand, as reflected in prices. This is why MOL Group’s developments are of strategic importance, both from a climate protection and supply security perspective. READ MORE