Project Development
Solarbelt has many years of experience in the development of projects for the production of sustainable BtL and PtL fuels. Our journey began as a pioneer with the planning, development, and commissioning of the world’s first industrial-scale PtL facility in the Emsland region of Germany. In addition, over the past years, we have supported the conceptual and financial development of numerous projects together with local partners. Our work has included early-stage project development, feasibility studies, biomass gasification test campaigns, and the development of viable business models. More information about our experience in project development can be found in the Projects section of our website.
We are always looking for new partners interested in investing in sustainable fuel production facilities in developing countries. With our specialized expertise, we can support you in areas such as identifying suitable biomass feedstocks or CO₂ sources, selecting the most appropriate technology pathway for a given location, estimating production costs, and developing robust business models.
In addition, we have access to a strong network of technology providers and testing facilities. This includes, for example, sites capable of conducting gasification test campaigns for one or more selected biomass residues (learn more about the Syngas Platform in Vienna here), as well as partners specialized in preparing pre-engineering studies for a wide range of plant concepts and technology pathways.
Feel free to contact us if you would like to:
-
Develop a pilot plant for the production of sustainable aviation fuels via the Biomass-to-Liquid or Power-to-Liquid pathway in a country of the Global South and are looking for an experienced partner who can support your project with both expertise and funding.
-
Utilize access to sustainable biomass residues or biogenic CO₂ sources in the range of tens of thousands of tonnes per year in countries of the Global South for the production of sustainable fuels.
-
Build on your existing experience in the (bio-)energy sector and explore new, innovative, and commercially attractive business opportunities in sustainable fuel production.
As a first step, we would be happy to work with you to assess the sustainability and technical suitability of the biomass feedstocks or CO₂ sources available to you, carry out an initial technology screening, or develop a preliminary business case and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
We look forward to working with you to advance the energy transition in a sustainable way while helping to improve livelihoods in our partner countries.
Why Partnering with Solarbelt Makes Sense
A Proven
First Mover
As a pioneer in the production of synthetic crude oil for sustainable aviation fuels via PtL and BtL pathways, Solarbelt brings extensive technical and commercial expertise.
Established Partner Network
Solarbelt works closely with technology providers across the entire value chain of advanced biofuels - from biomass feedstocks to refining.
Financial Support
Solarbelt can contribute its own financial resources - ranging from support for feasibility studies to concessional loans and co-investments.
Commercialization of fairfuel Certificates
Solarbelt can market a share of the fuel production through the sales channels of its sister organization atmosfair in the form of fairfuel certificates.
Advantages in Securing Public Funding
As a non-profit partner, Solarbelt is eligible for leading funding programs supporting renewable energy technologies.
Why Investing in a Sustainable Fuel Production Facility Makes Sense:
Demand for sustainable fuels with a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels is growing rapidly around the world, driven largely by regulation. An increasing number of countries are introducing mandatory blending requirements for such fuels across various transport sectors, including aviation, maritime transport, and road transport. At the same time, international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are establishing binding targets for emissions reductions in global aviation and shipping.
The European Union currently has the most ambitious regulatory framework worldwide for the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels. Under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, fuel suppliers at European airports must comply with mandatory blending quotas for sustainable aviation fuels:
Year
Mandatory SAF Blending Quota
Mandatory Sub-Quota for Power-to-Liquid Fuels
2025
2%
-
2030
6%
2%
2035
20%
5%
2050
70%
35%
If fuel suppliers fail to meet the required blending quotas, they face substantial financial penalties. In the early years, demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can still be met largely through the already established HEFA pathway. However, the availability of suitable waste and residue feedstocks for HEFA is highly limited and will be far from sufficient to meet future demand. As a result, Biomass-to-Liquid (BtL) and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) technologies will play a crucial role in supplying the growing global market for sustainable fuels. While production costs for BtL and PtL fuels are currently higher than for HEFA, dedicated policy mechanisms already exist to create premium markets for these alternatives. One example is the specific sub-quota for PtL fuels under EU legislation (see table above). In addition, large quantities of sustainable and low-cost biomass residues are available in developing countries, making BtL technology particularly attractive as a long-term solution for scaling sustainable fuel production.