Next Wave and Lummus create world’s first renewable alkylate
In a groundbreaking development for the clean fuels industry, Lummus Technology and Next Wave Energy Partners, LP have successfully produced the world’s first renewable alkylate. Derived from ethanol and created using Lummus’ proprietary technologies, this bio-based alkylate represents a significant step forward in producing low-carbon-intensity fuel.
Alkylate is used in the blending of premium gasoline to improve its overall quality and meet environmental standards by lowering emissions. It is especially favoured in reformulated gasoline due to its clean-burning characteristics.
Leon de Bruyn, president and CEO of Lummus Technology, hailed the achievement as a strategic advancement for the industry. “The success of renewable alkylate production holds strategic significance for our customers, partners and the industry at large as we shift towards more eco-friendly and efficient chemical processes.”
Next Wave President and CEO Michael Bloesch emphasised the environmental benefits, noting that the renewable alkylate has 30% lower carbon intensity than traditional gasoline. It marks a key milestone in Next Wave’s Project Lightning, a large-scale initiative to convert ethanol into renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon-negative polymer-grade ethylene.
The process began with the production of green ethylene from ethanol using Lummus’ EtE EverGreen™ technology. This green ethylene was then processed at Lummus’ Research and Development Center in Pasadena, Texas, U.S.A., and converted into renewable alkylate. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure performance and validate the carbon intensity of the new fuel.
Next Wave plans to register the renewable alkylate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in gasoline blends with up to 79% renewable content.
Next Wave Energy Partners is a Houston-based energy company that specialises in the development, construction, and operation of petrochemical and fuels infrastructure. The company focuses on the midstream energy sector, particularly in projects that convert natural gas liquids (NGLs) and other hydrocarbons into higher-value products such as alkylate and other chemicals used in refining and petrochemical processes.
Lummus Technology is a leading global provider of process technologies, proprietary equipment, catalysts, and related services to the energy and petrochemical industries. It is recognised for its extensive portfolio of technologies used in refining, petrochemicals, gas processing, and renewable energy. Lummus helps its clients optimise their processes and create value by converting raw materials such as crude oil, natural gas, and renewable feedstocks into fuels and chemicals.
