Client Spotlight: TechnipFMC and the Neste Biofuel Refinery in Singapore
Last year, TechnipFMC was awarded a major contract to supply Engineering, Procurement and Construction services to build the new Neste biofuel refinery, in Singapore.
With Neste announcing they would be investing a massive 1.4b euros in building the facility, we’ve decided to delve deeper into the refinery and its impact on employment in the region.
Why was TechnipFMC chosen for this project?
With nearly 45 years’ experience working in the heart of Singapore, TechnipFMC are a well-established and highly reputable EPC business.
In fact, they built Neste’s existing biofuel refinery located in Tuas, which opened back in 2011. During the peak of construction about 5000 employees worked on site to complete the project, driving the need for contractors from 13 countries around the world. The existing Neste refinery 30 minutes from the centre of Singapore, employing around 120 people.
Source: Neste
How will this effect employment opportunities?
The new refinery will be constructed directly next to the existing refinery in Singapore, and will have a production capacity of up to 1.3 million tonnes per annum. The aim is to launch a new production line in 2022, employing 100 new permanent workers.
Similar to the previous project, it is anticipated that over 6,000 contractors will be required during the 2.5 year development, helping to drive employment in the region.
Source: Neste
Local recruitment agency in Singapore
David Dixon, First Recruitment Group’s Singapore Client Services Manager, commented, “This huge project provides fantastic job opportunities for both expats and local Singaporeans across areas such as Project Management, Construction, HSE, Engineering, Procurement, Materials and QC. Operating a local office in Singapore, we manage everything from recruitment through to payrolling and mobilisation for our clients. It’s an exciting time to be working in Singapore and is increasing in popularity with our energy and construction clients.”
The world’s cleanest renewable diesel
Not only is the project creating job opportunities, but it also shows a strong commitment to providing cleaner alternatives to fossil fuel.
Khalil A Bakar, deputy director, Energy & Resources, Singapore Economic Development Board, said: "With a growing demand for cleaner fuels globally, our partnership with Neste will be important in helping us combat climate change, whilst growing the energy industry and our overall economy in a competitive and sustainable manner."
Neste Singapore refinery produces the world’s cleanest renewable diesel, that has up to 90% lower GHG emissions compared to conventional diesel over its life cycle.
They are the world’s largest producer of renewable fuels from waste and residues, with an annual production capacity of 2.7 million tons. Through the company’s cutting edge NEXBTL technology, renewable products can be refined flexibly from a wide variety of low-quality raw materials, while the end-products retain their high quality. The types of wastes and residues raw material they use include animal fats from food industry waste, fish fats from fish processing waste, and residues from vegetable oil processing. As well as creating a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel, Neste has a huge commitment to sustainability, recently listed as the world's 3rd most sustainable company on the Global 100 list in 2019.
Renewable diesel on the rise globally
With companies like Neste showing the benefits of renewable fuel, other petroleum companies have started to follow suit worldwide. Phillips66 are partnering with Renewable Energy Group (REG) to build a new renewable diesel plant on the U.S West Coast in 2021, using a mix of waste fats and oils along using REG’s BioSynfining technology. ENI has also expanded into renewable diesel through its Venice bio refinery, and Total are developing into biofuel with their La Mede refinery in France.
Is your business investing in Singapore?
We understand that with Singapore being the third largest trading hub in the world, businesses are looking to expand their workforces as they tackle new projects and investments. First Technical Singapore is located in the heart of the central business district, and available to discuss your hiring needs.
If you are looking for a recruitment agency in Singapore, that offers full compliance and a local presence, contact our Client Services Manager, David Dixon, on +44 (0)1925 909252 or email david.dixon@firstrg.com
