At ABLC 2025, we learned about progress in several new and emerging technologies in the bioeconomy. These span various feedstocks and conversion pathways, with a strong emphasis on producing sustainable fuels and chemicals. Here are some key takeaways:

• Carbon Recycling International (CRI) and Green Methanol: CRI, although in business for almost 20 years, is presented as a company with a potentially less well-known technology for producing green methanol. Their technology uses CO2, an “unloved feedstock,” along with hydrogen to produce scalable solutions for renewable fuels. They have demonstrated scalability from 4,000 to 100,000 tons per year in a single step and have designs for plants up to 300,000 tons per year. CRI is also willing to take on some project risk to derisk the profile for finance providers, indicating a move towards greater market adoption. Their focus on green methanol also ties into the growing interest in sustainable marine fuels and potentially SAF.

• Sungas Renewables and Gasification: Sungas Renewables presented its gasification technology, UGAS, which originated from GTI Energy and has been under development since 1975. This technology, initially developed for coal, is now being applied to biomass for bioenergy and gasification. Sungas has partnerships and is working on developing its own project, the Beaver Lake renewable project, indicating progress towards commercialization. Their partnership with C2X, owned by the shipping company Maersk, further highlights the connection to sustainable marine fuels.

• BioVeritas and Directed Mixed Culture Fermentation: Biovers presented a novel approach to producing SAF and SAF range intermediates using directed mixed culture fermentation of diverse bio-based feedstocks, including cellulosic materials and waste streams like French fry rejects and bread waste. Their process produces volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (C5-C8), which are then converted to SAF blend stock (SPK) or intermediates that can directly enter HEA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) or renewable diesel production without hydrocracking. Biovers claims their process can achieve near-term SAF production at parity to Jet A on a total cost basis, including capital, and they are “SAF unconstrained” due to their feedstock flexibility.

• Haffner Energy’s Two-Step Thermolysis and Gasification: Afne Energy, a French company with 30 years of experience in biomass, presented its two-step process of thermolysis followed by cracking to produce a hydrogen-rich syngas from various biomass feedstocks, including waste and sludge. The technology aims to unlock the potential of biomass to produce electricity, syngas (as an alternative to natural gas), methanol, SAF, and ethanol. They have built and operated plants in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean and are now focusing on the North American market due to the availability of feedstock and infrastructure. Afne Energy is also exploring solutions for utilizing biogenic CO2 produced during their process.

• Vertimass and Alcohol-to-Jet/Diesel Technology: While not a dedicated presentation in the provided excerpts, Vertimass was mentioned as having CADO technology that can convert various alcohols into renewable diesel [Our conversation history]. This represents an emerging pathway to utilize alcohols, potentially derived from fermentation or other biological processes, for the production of drop-in fuels.

• Arial Green and Technology Performance Insurance: Aerial Green introduced a novel concept of providing clean energy technology performance insurance to derisk bioeconomy and other clean energy projects. This is an emerging service aimed at addressing the high risk and failure rates seen in the bioeconomy by ensuring that technologies will work as expected, potentially facilitating greater investment and adoption of new technologies.

• Molecule Group and Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Molecules: Molecule Group is an organization focused on advocating for policies that support the deployment of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials, bridging the gap between bio-based, synthetic, and e-fuels. Their work on establishing a COP 30 target for sustainable molecules and advocating for policies that recognize the value of life cycle carbon intensity and supply chain benefits represents an effort to create a more favorable policy landscape for emerging technologies in this sector.

• GTS and Alcohol Upgrading: GTS, based in Belgium, presented its technology for optimizing lower carbon number alcohols into higher carbon number molecules, aiming to mitigate the CO2 footprint of petrochemical refineries by creating hybrid bio-based/petrochemical solutions. This suggests a pathway to utilize bio-derived alcohols for producing a wider range of valuable chemicals and fuels.

• Nexus PMG’s End-to-End Services for Hot Technologies: Nexus PMG, a service provider, focuses on enabling the deployment of both proven and “Hot New Technologies” by offering support from early-stage planning through operational improvement. Their involvement in green hydrogen, SAF (including BECCS), RNG, and direct air capture projects highlights the range of emerging technologies being explored and the need for comprehensive project development and execution expertise.

• Bioeconomy Manufacturing Scale-Up Challenges and Opportunities: Tammy Klein’s address highlighted a critical issue: while the US invents many clean technologies, it often fails to manufacture them at scale. She pointed out the slow progress of federal programs aimed at building bio-manufacturing scale-up facilities compared to other countries like Israel. This underscores that the successful progress of emerging technologies requires not just innovation but also effective scale-up and manufacturing capabilities.

• The Wolfpack’s Due Diligence on Emerging Woody Biomass Technologies: The “Wolfpack” session provided critical analyses of several companies utilizing woody biomass for advanced biofuels and biochemicals. Their assessments highlighted both the potential and the challenges associated with these emerging technologies, focusing on factors like technology readiness, scalability, economic viability, and the credibility of claims. While some technologies received positive initial reviews (like those presented by USA Bio Energy and Ensyn/Castlerock), the overall sentiment emphasized the need for rigorous due diligence and a clear path to commercial success. The Wolfpack also noted the strong current focus on SAF as a key market driver for many of these technologies.

Overall, ABLC 2025 showcased a diverse array of new and emerging technologies across the bioeconomy. While many hold significant promise for producing sustainable fuels and chemicals from various feedstocks, including wastes and unconventional biomass, the discussions also highlighted the critical need for effective scale-up, supportive policies, and thorough due diligence to ensure their successful commercialization. The strong interest in SAF as a key market driver was evident across multiple presentations.