Page 18 - 2025 CPC Corporation,Taiwan

16 Refining optimization in compliance with regulatory standards With the rise of environmental awareness and increased focus on air pollution issues, regulatory standards for automotive gasoline have become progressively stringent. Commencing on July 1, 2020, the permissible benzene content in gasoline was reduced from 1% by volume to 0.9% by volume, and an additional reduction to 0.8% by volume was mandated by the Ministry of Environment, effective January 1, 2024. In response to the energy transition and environmental regulations on benzene content in gasoline, CPC introduced the Gasoline Benzene Reduction and Quality Improvement Investment Plan in 2020. This initiative encompasses the construction of a naphtha cracking gasoline aromatics extraction plant with a daily refining capacity of 32,000 barrels, alongside associated storage tanks and utility systems. The project introduces aromatics extraction technology into the existing refining system to recover benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX), and C9+ hydrocarbons from cracked gasoline. These will be upgraded into high-purity petrochemical feedstocks for downstream use. Beyond improving overall refining efficiency, the initiative will help lower benzene levels in gasoline to meet environmental standards and ease potential oversupply by shifting excess gasoline toward higher-value petrochemical production. Engaging in carbon capture and promoting co-processing refining technology Since COP26, achieving net zero emissions by 2050 has become a global commitment, and in 2021 the Taiwanese government published Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050. Following this framework, CPC formulated the three strategies – premium oil, carbon reduction, and clean energy. It has taken the initiative to research carbon capture (CC) and survey potential sites for carbon storage (CS). In collaboration with the Refining & Manufacturing Research Institute, CPC, the CC demonstration site at the Dalin Refinery was completed by the end of 2023. Through trial projects, it will verify CC technology and catalyst performance, followed by commercial process evaluations to expand CC capacity. In addition, regarding the production and supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), CPC is moving toward domestic production in the medium to long term. Currently, the Taoyuan Refinery is preparing for SAF co-processing, with production expected to be completed next year. In the future, CPC will further evaluate the introduction of bioenergy technologies to produce 100% Neat SAF.