Torrefaction plant from Yilkins to India

Yilkins

Yilkins was founded in 2015 by Patrick Bergman (CTO) and Rob Voncken (CEO). Patrick has a background in research and development in biomass valorization and Rob has extensive international business experience in chemistry and materials including renewable fuels. The company initially developed an energy efficient technology to dry biomass, this platform was extended in a second phase to carbonize biomass. It now employs 17 people.

In Ruurlo there is a demonstration plant where all kinds of biomass (residues) can be tested to assess their suitability for drying and/or carbonization and to determine the optimal process settings.

Yilkins plants process biomass and organic residues

Since 2015, six prototypes have been built, some of them semi-commercial. These were both energy-efficient drying and torrefaction projects. Yilkins' torrefaction plants process biomass and organic residues into biofuels and other high-quality end products. The torrefied product can be used, for example, in power plants, as well as fuel for a gasifier to produce bio-kerosene, bio-methanol and green hydrogen.

Torrefaction is the heating of waste streams in an oxygen-free environment. In this process, chemical changes take place without combustion. The characteristics of torrefied biomass include lower moisture content, higher density and higher calorific value. Torrefied material is easier to grind and can be made into pellets. The torrefied material can then be gasified and from the released gases a variety of chemical products can be made that are now made from natural gas, for example. Examples include plastics and fuel.

Rob Voncken: “We are involved in all kinds of programs to go from biomass to bio-kerosene for aviation, to bio-methanol for shipping, to 100% sustainable gasoline for cars and to green hydrogen. In other words, you can completely replace fossil fuels.”

The biomass material is often waste from forests, agriculture and food processing industries

The torrefaction plant is preferably located near where the biomass is available. The final product can then be transported to a plant where gasification takes place. In this case, torrefied pellets will be made. The great advantage is that these contain hardly any moisture and are very compact, making transportation costs relatively low. The pellets can then be gasified back into synthesis gas at the plant. If the torrefaction plant is close to the gasifier then the material can be processed immediately.

The transaction insured by Yilkins with Atradius Dutch State Business involves the supply of a biomass torrefaction plant in India. The buyer is a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries ltd, active in energy, petrochemicals, natural gas, retail, telecommunications, mass media and textiles.

Installation

This plant will be located at an existing facility in Jamnagar. The torrefied material will be used to produce green synthesis gas through gasification that will be used to produce green fuels and derivatives.

In this case, the biomass processed will mainly consist of agricultural waste, especially waste from the cotton plant (cotton stems) and the invasive plant species Juliflora.

Reliance aims to be carbon neutral by 2035 by using renewable and bioenergy for a sustainable and green business. Yilkins' solution makes a vital contribution to those sustainability goals of Reliance. The plant will be built in the Netherlands and shipped in its entirety to India. The plant is scheduled to be operational by mid-2025.

Fair Calling Facility

Atradius DSB was asked to provide stand-alone guarantee cover and a counter guarantee under the Fair Calling Facility for both the down payment guarantee and the maintenance guarantee. The down payment guarantee runs until the arrival of the goods at debtor's site. The maintenance guarantee will not take effect until complete commissioning and delivery of the facility. Therefore, these guarantees will not be active simultaneously. The guarantees are provided by Rabobank, subject to the Atradius counter guarantees.

Yilkins has the interest of several large parties, for which it is already performing engineering projects. The interested multinationals see in Yilkins' technology a means to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve energy savings. With these partners, Yilkins has been carrying out engineering activities for some time and several orders are in the works.