CVR Ramps Up Production at Wynnewood, Considers Shift to SAF

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) CVR Energy Inc. processed a record volume of renewable feedstock at its Wynnewood refinery in Oklahoma during the fourth quarter. The facility’s feedstock pretreatment unit is nearing mechanical completion and CVR is continuing to evaluate the possibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

David Lamp, CEO of CVR Energy, discussed both the existing Wynnewood renewable diesel project and the potential for other renewable diesel and SAF projects during a third quarter earnings call, held Oct. 31.

According to Lamp, the Wynnewood renewable diesel unit processed nearly 24 million gallons of vegetable oil feedstock during the third quarter. Dane Neumann, chief financial officer at CVR, said total renewables throughput for the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of 15 million gallons to 20 million gallons.

Construction on the feedstock pretreatment unit at the Wynnewood facility is progressing well and expected to be mechanically complete in the fourth quarter, Lamp said. He also noted that CVR is continuing to explore opportunities to modify the renewable diesel unit at Wynnewood to shift a portion of production from renewable diesel to SAF. That includes continuing discussions with various parties interested in securing an offtake of SAF, Lamp added.

In addition to the Wynnewood renewables project, CVR is also considering the development of a potential renewables project with an option for SAF at its Coffeyville refining complex in Kansas. According to Lamp, CVR’s board recently authorized spending for scope definition and a detailed cost estimate, which will allow the company to have more in-depth discussions with potential partners. READ MORE

Excerpt from SAF Magazine: Honeywell announced today that CVR Renewables CVL LLC, a subsidiary of CVR Energy Inc., will utilize Honeywell’s Ecofining technology in its evaluation of a potential project to produce biofuels from feedstocks such as distillers corn oil, at its facility in Coffeyville, Kansas or in the surrounding area. The potential new Ecofining plant is being designed to convert approximately 30,000 barrels per day of waste feeds/feedstocks to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel and other products.

Provided the project receives approval, CVR Renewables should be able to realize a capital efficient and high-yield solution, ideal for producing biofuels from 100 percent renewable feedstocks. SAF produced with Honeywell’s Ecofining technology is a drop-in replacement fuel that requires no changes to aircraft technology or fuel infrastructure. SAF can be used in blends of up to 50 percent SAF with the remainder being conventional (fossil-based) jet fuel. Honeywell’s Ecofining process is a proven technology that has been used around the world for years to produce SAF that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 80 percent when compared to the emissions from fossil fuels.

“Renewable fuels are in high demand, and Honeywell’s Ecofining technology can help CVR Renewables maximize SAF production for commercial aviation use,” said Barry Glickman, vice president, general manager, Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “The Ecofining process was developed to deliver industry-leading performance using a wide range of feedstocks. This technology is ready-now and has already been selected for use in more than 40 plants globally.”

“We are excited about Honeywell’s Ecofining technology and the potential role it could play in our efforts to decarbonize our business,” said Mike Wright, executive vice president and chief operating officer of CVR Energy.

Honeywell’s Ecofining process, developed in collaboration with Eni SpA, can be used to convert waste plant-based oils, animal fats and other waste feedstocks to renewable diesel and SAF. It has been used to produce SAF commercially since 2016. Honeywell now offers solutions across a range of feedstocks to meet the rapidly growing demand for renewable fuels. In addition to the Ecofining™ process, Honeywell’s renewable fuels portfolio includes the UOP E thanol to Jet process and the recently announced Honeywell UOP eFining process, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide-derived methanol into eFuels. READ MORE

Excerpt from Biomass Magazine: Company officials discussed both the existing Wynnewood renewable diesel project and CVR Energy’s plans to expand into SAF production during a first quarter earnings call, held April 30.

According to CVR Energy, the renewable diesel unit at the Wynnewood refinery processed approximately 6.9 million gallons of vegetable oil throughput during the first quarter, down from 22.4 million gallons during the same period of 2023. The company primarily attributed the decrease to a catalyst change during the first quarter of this year.

In February 2024, the company announced that the PTU at the Wynnewood facility was mechanically complete. CVR Energy CEO David Lamp confirmed that the PTU began operations during the first quarter and is ramping up operations during the second quarter. The PTU is expected to result in improvements in renewable product yields, catalyst life and the resulting economics, Lamp explained.

CVR Energy completed conversion of the Wynnewood renewable diesel unit in 2022. The unit currently has the capacity to process 100 MMgy of feedstock, producing renewable diesel and renewable naphtha. The company is also considering plans to convert the Wynnewood renewable diesel unit to SAF and develop additional SAF capacity at the company’s Coffeyville refinery in Kansas.

Lamp said CVR Energy is continuing to explore opportunities in the renewables space and is currently in discussions related to the potential conversion of the Wynnewood renewable diesel unit to up to 100% SAF. The company is also considering a larger potential project at Coffeyville and expects to have the project scope, cost and development plan ready to take to the market by the end of the year. CVR Energy previously indicated that the Coffeyville project could include the development of up to 500 MMgy of renewables capacity, including up to 250 MMgy of SAF capacity.

Lamp also briefly discussed a fire that occurred at the Wynnewood refinery during the final weekend of April. He said the fire, which occurred in one of the facility’s process areas, appears to have been caused by lightening associated with a severe weather event that occurred in the area. No employees or contractors were injured during the event and the company is in the beginning process of restarting a portion of the refinery. Lamp said work is underway to assess the extent of the damage and the company plans to provide additional details once they are available. READ MORE