August 13, 2025 [Biodiesel Magazine]- PBF Energy Inc. on July 31 announced the St. Bernard Renewables facility averaged approximately 14,200 barrels per day of renewable diesel production during the second quarter of 2025, down from the 16,500 barrels per day of production reported for the same period of last year.

The company noted SBR operations during the second quarter of 2025 reflected a catalyst change that began in March and was complete in April. Moving into the third quarter, renewable diesel production is expected to average 16,000 to 18,000 barrels per day.

The SBR biorefinery is co-located at PBF Energy’s Chalmette oil refinery in Louisiana. The 320 MMgy facility primarily produces renewable diesel and is jointly owned by PBF Energy and Eni Sustainable Mobility Spa. PBF and Eni closed on the 50-50 partnership in St. Bernard Renewables in mid-2023.

The SBR facility’s renewable diesel unit began operations in June 2023, and a feedstock pretreatment unit was brought online the following month. Eni In October 2024 announced an agreement to sell a 25% stake in its Enilive business to U.K. based KKR. Eni’s ownership share in SBR is among the assets held by its Enilive business.

During a second quarter earnings call, PBF President and CEO Matt Lucey characterized SBR’s current operations at “somewhat breakeven” and stressed that the company runs the facility “to maximize profit.”  While many renewable diesel facilities are slowing production, Lucey noted the SBR’s location in Louisiana gives the company great optionality in regard to both feedstock type and market destinations. He cited those factors, as well as the recent catalyst change, as factors enabling the SBR to target relatively high third quarter output while other producers are reducing production.