Recent developments
SAF production and supply
Brazil moved toward large-scale production as Petrobras chose Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology to process 1 Mt/y of waste and vegetable oils into SAF and renewable diesel, pending FID and approvals. In Europe, Eni approved the conversion of units at the Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi refinery and advanced the Priolo biorefinery, adding flexible HVO/SAF capacity toward 2030 targets. Downstream supply expanded as Neste and World Fuel Services signed a five‑year agreement to expand SAF availability at over 100 airports across the UK and Europe.
E‑fuels and methanol build‑out
Power‑to‑liquids and renewable methanol advanced. In the UK, Carbon Neutral Fuels progressed Project Starling, a Power‑to‑Liquid facility in Workington targeting up to 25 kt/y SAF from captured CO2 and water by 2031, integrating FT CANS and UOP upgrading. In Canada, thyssenkrupp Uhde will study integration of PRENFLO gasification with methanol synthesis for a >450 kt/y biomass‑to‑methanol project in Nova Scotia. Siemens will digitalize scale‑up of CAPHENIA’s Plasma Boudouard Reactor converting biomethane to syngas, while VolagHy released the Environmental Impact Assessment program for its Kuopio site.
Process and catalyst advances
Catalyst scale‑up targeted alcohol‑to‑jet routes as Clariant announced a strategic collaboration with Vertimass to commercialize zeolite catalysts for the CADO process converting biobased alcohols into drop‑in fuels. Cost engineering progressed in Fischer–Tropsch pathways: Velocys reported over 30% capex reduction for modular microFTL deployments, applied to Altalto (UK) and NovaSAF 1 (Uruguay) with a long‑term offtake.
Feedstocks and carbon intensity
Data and feedstock readiness tightened. BASF has launched Circalo to provide verifiable farm‑level inputs and third‑party carbon‑intensity verification under Section 45Z, integrating with ethanol producers’ systems. OMV Petrom advanced a sustainable fuels production unit with a green hydrogen component at the Petrobrazi refinery. In Portugal, ZILS – Sines Industrial and Logistics Zone exceeded €20 billion in projects including green hydrogen and ammonia, reinforcing infrastructure that could support future e‑fuels production and export.
Industrial heat alternatives
Beyond transport, alternative fuels for process heat progressed as RIFT secured €113.8 million to advance Iron Fuel Technology toward first commercial deployment by 2029, including EU Innovation Fund support, a first contract with Kingspan Unidek, and a target of ~340 GWh/y heat and >1 Mt CO2 avoided over 15 years.
Corporate pipeline and structuring
Eni reported execution of a pipeline of biofuels projects aiming to triple capacity by 2030, alongside portfolio actions in LNG and CCS. In Norway, the biofuels R&D platform at Tofte transitioned to employee‑owned Silva Biofuel AS to continue hydrothermal liquefaction development and pursue commercialization.