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Aster and Aether Fuels will build a renewable fuel plant on Singapore's Bukom island

Aster Chemicals & Energy and Aether Fuels have partnered to build a renewable-fuels facility on Singapore's Bukom island, which is expected to start operating in 2028.

Conor Madigan, CEO of Aether Fuels, told reporters that construction on the project to produce 2,000 tons per year (50 barrels a day) is expected to start in the second quarter of 2019. Commercial production could begin as early as 2028.

Madigan stated that the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), or bionaphtha, production will reach 400 tons per year when the plant is finished.

Aether Fuels has developed a technology that will be used to convert industrial waste gases and biomethane, according to a joint statement.

Aster will supply renewable energy, waste carbon as a feedstock, utilities and support on the site where it operates the Bukom refinery.

The companies refused to comment on whether the project was worth investing in.

Neste, a Finnish company, is currently the only producer of renewable fuels (fuels that are made from renewable sources) in Singapore. It operates a plant in Tuas, which produces 1 million tpy.

Singapore will implement a 1% SAF usage for all departing flights from next year. The tax on consumers will be applied to tickets and services starting April 1, next year. (Reporting and editing by Trixie Yap)

(source: Reuters)