Elyse Energy, a prominent French developer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has announced its selection of thyssenkrupp Uhde's BioTfueL technology for its groundbreaking BioTJet project. The project, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of France, aims to establish the nation's first commercial e-biofuel plant, capable of producing 110,000 tonnes of e-fuels annually from 2029.

The BioTJet facility will leverage wood waste and forestry residues as feedstock, converting them into cleaner jet fuel through a process enhanced by clean hydrogen. This innovative approach addresses the pressing need for sustainable alternatives to traditional jet fuel, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

The core technology selected by Elyse Energy, BioTfueL, has undergone rigorous testing at a semi-industrial plant between 2010 and 2021, validated by the Bionext consortium, a collaboration of industry leaders including Avril, Axens, CEA, IFP Energies Nouvelles, Total Energies, and thyssenkrupp Uhde. In 2024, Axens secured a license agreement for the BioTfueL technology, which incorporates thyssenkrupp Uhde's PRENFLO gasification and Axens' GASEL technologies.

A key feature of the BioTJet process is the integration of clean hydrogen, which significantly improves efficiency and reduces emissions. The wood waste is initially subjected to high temperatures to produce syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The addition of clean hydrogen enhances the syngas quality, making it more suitable for subsequent fuel synthesis.

Pascal Penicaud, President of Elyse Energy, emphasized the strategic importance of this technology in providing “cost-competitive” e-fuels. The BioTJet plant is projected to produce 75,000 tonnes of SAF and 35,000 tonnes of naphtha, which will serve both road transport and chemical sectors, diversifying its impact on reducing carbon footprints.

The project has already achieved a significant milestone with the completion of basic engineering in November 2024. Currently, the BioTJet project is progressing through the detailed engineering phase, demonstrating a commitment to timely execution and operational readiness.

This development aligns with the European Union's ambitious ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates a progressive increase in SAF usage within the aviation sector. The regulation requires that SAF constitute 2% of European aviation fuel supplies by 2025, escalating to 70% by 2050.

Despite SAF's potential to significantly reduce aviation emissions, its current adoption remains limited. As of 2024, SAF production accounts for only 0.53% of global jet fuel consumption, primarily due to high production costs and feedstock constraints. The BioTJet project, with its focus on utilizing readily available wood waste and integrating clean hydrogen, aims to address these challenges and accelerate the commercial viability of SAF.