Support Us Button Widget

10-acre biorefinery coming to Berkeley County

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0024.JPG

Charleston International Manufacturing Center | Photo provided by Cookerly PR

Last week, Mainstream Pine Products announced plans to build a crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center located in Berkeley County.

The 10-acre, $90 million biorefinery will be an advanced recycling facility with capacity to process 110,000 tons of CTO for use in a wide range of industrial operations + products.

Not quite sure what CTO is? To break it down, crude tall oil is a renewable product derived from tree sap. During paper production, the sap is separated out because it is not used in the process. It is then separated into tree rosin + tall oil fatty acids, which are further refined and chemically reacted. The chemical product – CTO – is then used for a large variety of things like inks, paints, adhesives, rubber additives + more. For a deeper dive, check out this crash course on CTO production by American Chemistry.

Through this process, biorefineries become a greener, more sustainable version of traditional petroleum refineries. These facilities utilize biomasssuch as pine trees – to produce energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil production.

Berkeley County’s new biorefinery facility will serve as the centerpiece of Mainstream’s mission to become the highest quality, lowest cost producer of CTO derivatives in North America that will help meet the increasing demand of renewable energy. The plant will also create more jobs + career opportunities in the Lowcountry.

Mainstream Pipe Products anticipates breaking ground + beginning construction later this year, with operations beginning in 2023.

More from CHStoday
The Magnolia Landing development will span 192 acres and provide working, housing, dining, and entertainment options for the community.
It’s not just Charleston getting the praise; the Lowcountry has several hotels, resorts, and islands honored in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
We keep an eye on your clicks to make sure CHStoday is always filled with content you love.
Sponsored
Charleston has a packed list of races to get prepared for throughout the year
Deep dive into this guide and learn how to navigate the annual two-day music festival loaded with live music and food inspired by the Lowcountry.
Dining in the Holy City is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
The Swedish car company is celebrating 70 years, and it has sold more than 5 million cars in the US.
The annual festival will be back on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. The Charleston Beer Fest will offer tastings from 75+ breweries, live music, and a variety of local vendors.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.