PBF looking to invest $550M to retrofit Chalmette refinery for renewable diesel

In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards and PBF Chalmette Refinery Manager Steven Krynski announced the company is studying the possible conversion of an idled refinery unit into a renewable diesel production complex. The refinery’s parent company, PBF Energy, would make a $550 million capital investment to retrofit a hydrocracker unit – out of operation since 2010 – with new technology to accommodate renewable diesel production. The project also would include construction of a pretreatment unit that will allow Chalmette Refining to create non-fossil feedstocks from soybean oil, corn oil and other biogenically derived fats and oils.

With the project, Chalmette Refining would create 20 new direct jobs at an average annual salary of $70,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project would result in 90 new indirect jobs, for a total of 110 new jobs for St. Bernard Parish and the Southeast Region. The project is expected to support 200 construction jobs, and it would enable Chalmette Refining – the largest private employer in St. Bernard Parish – to retain 516 existing jobs at the refinery.