Nextchem wins contract for 125,000-tonne sustainable aviation fuel project in Australia

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nextchem has been awarded the license, process design package (PDP), and engineering services contract for the syngas section of the Project Lion in Australia, which will employ its proprietary NX Circular™ gasification technology to convert local sugarcane residues into purified chemical-grade syngas for further processing by third parties into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

The contract has been secured by Nextchem, part of the MAIRE Group, through its subsidiary MyRechemical, with the signing party being SKY Renewables Burdekin Pty Ltd—an Australian project development company focused on producing sustainable aviation fuel. Located in the Burdekin region of North Queensland, the project utilizes locally available sugarcane residues, which are processed via gasification technology to produce purified chemical-grade syngas, subsequently converted into sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel through third-party solutions. At full operational capacity, the project can produce up to 125,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually.

The project leverages sugarcane tops and leaves, residual biomass typically burned in the field. The implementation of this project demonstrates the viability of NX Circular™ gasification technology in converting agricultural residues into low-carbon fuel intermediates, while promoting more sustainable utilization of local biomass resources.

The contract is subject to receipt of a Notice to Proceed before becoming effective, with the exception of certain engineering services.

Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of Nextchem, stated that this contract confirms the strategic relevance of Nextchem's proprietary technologies in developing sustainable fuels from renewable and residual feedstocks, and that the company will contribute to such projects in Australia. He noted that Australia is increasingly important in the development of this industry and is a key region for diversifying the company's portfolio, combining circular carbon solutions with the aviation sector's decarbonization needs through gasification technology that supports the conversion of local sugarcane residues into low-carbon fuels.