Bulgarian company Insa Oil is building the country's first high-tech bioethanol plant with an investment of 56 million euro

Bulgarian oil company Insa Oil has started construction of the country's first and one of the most modern bioethanol production plants in the Balkans – Insa Spirit. The investment amounts to approximately 56 million euro, and the project includes a plant, a high-tech laboratory, and green areas, BalkanEngineer.com learned from the company's official announcement.

The project, which started in June 2022, is located on a site of about 45,000 m2, and in addition to the industrial facilities, it also includes 15 decares of green areas, which will contribute to the ecological integration of the complex. The investment covers production facilities and a modern laboratory that must meet international quality standards.

The new plant will produce about 41,000 liters of ethyl alcohol per day, part of which will be processed into bioethanol for the Bulgarian energy market through dehydration. The technological platform was developed by the Indian company Praj, and the equipment was supplied by leading global companies, including Bühler Group, Alfa Laval, Bosch, Siemens, Hydro-Thermal, and Solar Turbines. The production process is fully automated—from grain to final product.

The bioethanol that will be produced at Insa Spirit is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels. When mixed with gasoline, it reduces carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, increases octane ratings, and improves engine efficiency. European policies already require gasoline to contain a minimum of 9% bioethanol.

In addition, the plant will produce DDGS – dried distillers grains with solubles, used in animal husbandry, as well as high-purity liquefied carbon dioxide suitable for the food industry. The American company Pentair is involved in the latter.

Insa Oil CEO Georgi Samuilov emphasized that the project will improve the country's energy independence, boost the economy, and support green transformation. The plant is expected to start operating in the second half of 2026, creating around 120 jobs and further stimulating regional development.

Photo source: Insa Oil, ©Engineer BG via Canva.com