Sublimax, Lesieur’s decarbonization technology

Lesieur’s Coudekerque site, which has long been committed to reducing its energy footprint, has reached a new milestone with Sublimax, a structuring project that combines technological Innovation, long-term productivity, and environmental responsibility, and is fully in line with our purpose: Serving the Earth.

Technology promoting energy frugality

The project, with investment of over €5 million, is based on technology that has already shown its worth: deposition, which optimizes vacuum system of deodorization facilities. In short: whereas, in the past, vacuum was created by highly energy-intensive facilities, the new system solidifies the extracted gases by bringing them into contact with ammonia at -32°C. This phase  significantly reduces the use of vapor. “We’ve set ambitious targets, and we’re already well on track: -30% of vapor consumption, -45% of CO₂ emissions, i.e. around 3,000 tons”, explains François Blanchard, Refining Operations Manager. “We even exceeded our startup phase target volumes and, to date, we’re still on par with the gains expected for vapor, electricity, and consumption”, he exclaims.

A collectively-managed project

The project’s success also stems from the way it was undertaken. Teams were organized around key complementary tasks: work on the facilities, co-activity to pursue production – with support from the Bassens site –, ramping up, accompanying change, and communication.

Lesieur’s commitment to Serving the Earth

“This project means we can reduce our carbon footprint significantly and, at the same time, recover sustainable competitiveness, a sine qua non for the future of some products”, concludes Christophe Koelie, Head of the New Projects Department. A commitment acknowledged externally: the approach was awarded the “Prix de la sobriété” (Frugality Prize) during the “Industrie s’engage” ; (Industry commits) ceremony organized by the French business magazine L’Usine Nouvelle.