Ineratec has secured a €40m ($43m) venture debt loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a €30m ($32m) grant with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to develop “Europe’s largest” green hydrogen-based e-fuels plant.
Located in Frankfurt, Germany, the plant is expected to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of e-fuel per year. Construction began in 2023, and commissioning was originally scheduled for 2024.
Ineratec’s production process combines hydrogen and CO2 derived from biogenic sources to then produce synthetic crude oil, which can be processed into sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), marine fuels and e-diesel.
© Ineratec
Carbon will be sourced from Infraserv Höchst’s nearby biogas plant, although specific details about the electrolyser supplier have not been disclosed.
“Ineratec is on a promising path towards demonstrating that e-fuels can be economically produced at scale with the support of catalytic funding,” explained Mario Fernandez, Head of Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.
“Decarbonising aviation requires real-world projects to drive down costs and crowd in investment. Breakthrough Energy Catalyst is proud to partner with Ineratec to accelerate deployment and unlock the potential to make e-fuels a reality.”
Ineratec’s CEO, Dr. Tim Boeltken, said the focus now for the company is scaling up and deploying the technology “where it is needed most.”
Furthermore, the initiative aligns with European regulations. The REFuelEU Aviation policy mandates that airlines incorporate a minimum of 1.2% e-SAF in their fuel mix by 2030.
You can read more about hydrogen’s role in the aviation industry in our upcoming Seas & Skies magazine.
