Licella and Shell join forces to develop low-carbon biofuels solution

Licella has announced a strategic partnership with Shell Catalysts & Technologies to develop a new commercial pathway for sustainable biofuels, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This collaboration aims to address rising global demand for SAF by creating a cost-effective and scalable solution for converting biomass into advanced biofuels. 

The partnership combines Licella’s Cat-HTR™ technology, an advanced hydrothermal liquefaction platform, with Shell’s hydroprocessing expertise. Licella’s Cat-HTR™ converts agricultural residues and other forms of biomass into renewable biocrude, while Shell Catalysts & Technologies will upgrade the biocrude into refined, low-carbon fuels. This alliance positions the companies to reduce SAF production costs and promote sustainable fuel adoption globally.  

The new process also responds to the aviation sector’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, offering an opportunity to tap into renewable agricultural waste and residues that are often inaccessible with other technologies.

The project includes plans for multiple biorefinery projects, including Licella’s upcoming initiative in Queensland, Australia. Shell will lead the effort to obtain certification for the SAF produced, facilitating global scalability. With the aviation sector under pressure to transition to more sustainable fuel options, the collaboration offers a promising solution to close the gap between demand and production. 

Len Humphreys, executive chairman of Licella, highlighted the Cat-HTR™ platform’s capability to convert feedstock that other technologies struggle to process. “We are excited to be partnering with Shell Catalysts & Technologies to develop a global commercial biomass-to-biofuels solution. The flexibility and efficiency of our disruptive Cat-HTR™ platform enables us to target the feedstocks that other technologies can’t access, and positions us to transform the advanced biofuels landscape globally,” said Humphreys.

Alan Nicholl, CEO of Licella, described the partnership as a critical step in advancing sustainable fuel options. “The collaboration will accelerate our efforts to deliver a leading low-cost, low-carbon, global SAF solution, as we rapidly advance exciting opportunities with partners both here in Australia and across the world,” he said.

By combining our expertise in hydroprocessing with Licella’s innovative technology in this field, our collaboration aims to advance the production of sustainable, low-carbon fuels on a commercial scale economically,” said Elise H. Nowee, president of Shell Catalysts & Technologies.