Plans For Homegrown Renewable Diesel, SAF Take-Off

Queensland is set to lead Australia’s production of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with Wagner Sustainable Fuels securing early investment from Boeing and the Queensland Government to support the development of a renewable liquid fuels refinery in Brisbane.

Boeing’s investment will accelerate development of Australia’s first, fully integrated renewable diesel and SAF production facility.

The venture, which has secured cornerstone investment from Boeing with $760,000 funding support from the Queensland Government towards its feasibility study, will continue engineering studies with a view to commence construction in 2026.

Once operational, the facility will produce 102 million litres of SAF and 12 million litres of renewable diesel per year that will accelerate the decarbonisation of Australia’s aviation and heavy transport sectors and shore up domestic fuel security.

The Brisbane facility will generate SAF from LanzaJet’s Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology that converts ethanol produced from feedstocks, such as industrial waste, via the carbon recycling technology of LanzaTech.

Leveraging LanzaTech’s commercial carbon recycling technology and LanzaJet’s ATJ process, Wagner Sustainable Fuels will produce SAF that integrates with existing airline infrastructure and meets rigorous fuel standards.

Wagner Sustainable Fuels Chief Executive Officer, Matt Doyle, says the project announcement is underpinned by industry collaboration towards renewable liquid fuels industry growth and celebrates an industry development milestone, bringing together a world-leading team, advanced technology and home-grown innovation.

“Aviation uses billions of litres of fossil jet fuel per year and accounts for about 2.1 per cent of global CO₂ emissions. In Australia alone, demand for jet fuel is expected to increase by 75 per cent over the next 25 years,” he says.

“Australia is in a strong position to produce and scale renewable liquid fuels to meet this challenge and grow a domestic low-carbon fuels industry.”

SAF produced at the Wagner refinery can be used with all existing airline infrastructure, engines and equipment.

It also has a higher energy density than traditional jet fuel and significantly reduces an airplane’s contrails.

Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace says the Queensland Government is helping pioneer practical solutions that promise a cleaner, greener aviation future, while delivering significant economic benefits for the state.

“Growing our SAF industry will not only contribute to decarbonisation targets, but it will also create more good jobs,’’ she says.

“We are well on the way to establishing Queensland as a true green jet fuel hub for the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Queensland Government is focused on securing our state’s future as a trailblazer in the sustainable aviation fuel industry. We look forward to our continuing work with Wagner to progress this game changing opportunity for Queensland.”

Boeing’s sustainability lead for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Dr Kimberly Camrass, says Boeing is proud to be an early investor in developing Wagner’s SAF refinery in Brisbane.

“SAF remains the most effective lever to decarbonise aviation by 2050 as it reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 84 per cent. Currently, SAF represents 0.1 per cent of global jet fuel use,” Camrass says.

“This project will make a real difference in developing an Australian SAF industry, which is crucial not only to achieve Australia’s own climate goals, but also to support the global commercial aviation’s commitment of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

Australia currently imports 90 per cent of its liquid fuel, including jet fuel. Domestic development of renewable liquid fuels is seen as critical for the nation’s fuel security.