Neste has evolved from a local oil refiner in Finland into a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. Today, the company is recognized as the world’s largest producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, helping customers across multiple industries cut greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with its renewable alternatives.
This year, Neste celebrates two key anniversaries: 15 years since the opening of its renewable products refinery in Singapore and 60 years since the launch of its Porvoo refinery in Finland. Together, these milestones highlight Neste’s journey from local refining operations to a global force in sustainable energy.
Singapore refinery: 15 years of innovation and global impact
Neste’s Singapore refinery marked the company’s first major investment in renewable products outside Finland and across Asia. When it began operations in 2010, it was the world’s largest renewable diesel refinery.
In 2023, a major expansion introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to the facility, boosting its total annual capacity for renewable products to 2.6 million tons. This includes renewable diesel, SAF, and renewable feedstocks for polymers and chemicals.
Investments in Singapore have strengthened Neste’s position as a major global player in renewable fuels and deepened its engagement with customers across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The Singapore refinery’s 15th anniversary reflects Neste’s deep refining expertise and the dedication of our talented employees here,” said Jukka Kanerva, Senior Vice President, Refining, Renewable Products at Neste. “Their commitment to developing renewable solutions and our growth in Asia make this refinery a cornerstone of our global operations—enhancing our competitiveness and helping customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.”
Porvoo refinery: 60 years as the foundation of Neste’s refining excellence
Founded in 1965 to ensure Finland’s oil supply, Neste’s Porvoo refinery became the largest in the Nordic region by the 1970s. It has since played a central role in Neste’s innovation journey, pioneering environmental advancements such as lead-free and sulfur-free fuels.
In the 1990s, Neste developed its proprietary NEXBTL renewable refining technology, with the first NEXBTL units coming online at Porvoo in 2007 and 2009.
“The Porvoo refinery is among the most advanced and complex in Europe, designed to flexibly produce over 100 different products from a range of raw materials,” said Jori Sahlsten, Executive Vice President of Oil Products at Neste. “Sixty years after its start-up, Porvoo stands as a unique refinery capable of processing both crude oil and renewable or recycled raw materials.”
Sahlsten and Kanerva expressed gratitude to Neste’s partners and customers, stating: “We thank our collaborators for their continued trust in developing high-quality products for diverse sectors. Most of all, we are proud of our teams whose expertise ensures our refineries will keep serving customers worldwide for years to come.”
