A memorandum of understanding covering collaboration on a range of biofuels technologies and projects in China has been signed by the China National Petroleum Corp. and  UOP LLC, it was announced today (4th November). Under the terms of the agreement, announced at the 20th meeting of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), the companies will collaborate to demonstrate existing biofuels technology to produce green transportation fuels using feedstocks available within China. CNPC will also evaluate the installation of a demonstration-scale UOP/Eni Ecofining™ process unit for the production of green diesel fuel, as well as a larger-scale unit at an existing or new CNPC refinery site.

The companies will also collaborate, said the statement, on the design of an Ecofining unit able to produce both green diesel as well as renewable jet fuel from Chinese biofeedstocks, and assess opportunities for raising the energy efficiency of existing and new ethanol plants in China with the use ethanol of membrane technology.

"This collaboration will advance the development of viable renewable fuels for the transport sector in China," said Jennifer Holmgren, general manager of UOP’s Renewable Energy and Chemicals. "Collaboration between governments and private industry is necessary to enable a sustainable biofuels future. We are honored to work with CNPC to support this initiative, and congratulate all of the organizations involved for their commitment to a reduced carbon footprint."

"As a global Fortune 500 business and a responsible corporation, CNPC has long term commitment in emerging energy technologies and made positive progress," said Jie Hu, chief engineer of refining & chemicals for CNPC’s PetroChina Company Ltd. "Under the strategic agreement framework between China and the U.S. to promote clean energy technology, our collaboration with UOP to promote advanced biofuel technology will enable the low carbon emission and green economy development in China."