Australia takes step toward leadership in renewable methanol and SAF

HAMR Energy has announced the completion of the Pre Front End Engineering Design (Pre FEED) phase at its Portland Renewable Fuels Project in regional Victoria. The milestone was achieved in collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde, which has provided its expertise in process engineering and technology integration.

The project is designed to convert locally sourced forestry residues and green hydrogen into 300,000 tonnes of low carbon methanol annually. This methanol can be further refined into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or used directly as shipping fuel, contributing to the decarbonisation of sectors that are considered difficult to abate.

Methanol is emerging as a key low emissions fuel option as the aviation and maritime industries move toward net zero targets. Produced from renewable energy and biomass feedstocks, it offers a proven and scalable use case for hydrogen, with adoption already underway in global shipping and anticipated approval as a feedstock for jet fuel.

Richard Owen, Director and Chair of HAMR Energy, said: “This milestone reflects both our ambition and our strategy: to work with global technology leaders to deliver Australia’s next generation of clean fuels. Completing the Pre FEED phase marks an important step for a transformative project for our country’s energy future.”

Thyssenkrupp Uhde, which has more than a century of experience in chemical process engineering, will continue to support the project through its Australian operations. The company’s contribution includes proprietary technologies in gasification, methanol synthesis and emissions reduction.

Nadja Håkansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “We are proud to support HAMR Energy in shaping the future of renewable fuels in Australia. Our proven capabilities in process engineering, technology integration and project execution are the cornerstones of this collaboration.”

The Portland Renewable Fuels Project is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and long term operational roles, while also attracting significant investment to regional Victoria. HAMR Energy has already signed memoranda of understanding with suppliers to secure feedstock supply and has positioned the project in line with federal and state policies to strengthen fuel security and advance leadership in low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF).

“We are looking forward to working with project partners, government and the community to advance Portland Renewable Fuels, which can play a pivotal role in Australia becoming a global player in the LCLF industry,” Owen added.

HAMR Energy is currently finalising a $10 million Series A funding round, with interest from strategic partners and private investors. With Pre FEED now complete, the company will move forward with final permitting and the full FEED stage.