Honeywell UOP has completed construction on the first phase of its biorefinery plant in Kapolei. The plant will be used to test feedstocks such as eucalyptus and guinea grass for drop-in fuel for ground transportation. 

Following initial tests, the company plans to scale-up the demonstration plant and hopes to be producing test fuel by next year.

Jim Rekoske, vice president of renewable energy for UOP, told Civil Beat that if the technology is successful, a commercial plant would produce 1,600 barrels of fuel a day at a price point competitive with gasoline and diesel.