Haffner Energy Launched Biomass-to-Fuel Process
The new method targets lower feedstock costs for producers of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Haffner Energy has introduced the SB-HEFA process, a technology designed to convert solid biomass directly into liquid fuels for aviation and road transport. The company intends to reduce production expenses by shifting away from traditional oil-based feedstocks.
Why it matters
Feedstock procurement currently represents the largest cost component in renewable fuel production, keeping prices two to three times higher than fossil alternatives. Lowering these costs is essential for scaling output as mandates for sustainable aviation fuel adoption rise globally.
Feedstock for the new SB-HEFA process costs less than 20% of traditional oils used in HEFA pathways, utilizing residual solid biomass priced at €10 to €30 per MWh. Haffner Energy is targeting a 50% reduction in the total levelised cost of fuel production.
The players
Haffner Energy
A French technology firm that licenses thermolysis-based processes for the production of sustainable fuels from biomass.
The details
The SB-HEFA process utilizes thermolysis to transform solid biomass into a liquid intermediate without the use of syngas. This thermolysis oil is subsequently cooled, filtered, and subjected to hydrodeoxygenation to produce finished fuels. By bypassing the need for refined cooking oils, which currently trade at high price points in Europe, the firm seeks to alter the cost structure of the renewable fuel supply chain.
Timeline
2026: Used cooking oil traded at approximately €1,000 to €1,200 per tonne.
2027/2028: Haffner Energy plans to commission an industrial demonstrator plant.
2030: Commercial deployment in aviation is expected to align with rising European mandates.
Market Landscape
Global production of sustainable aviation fuel currently accounts for only 0.6% of total kerosene consumption, leaving significant room for market expansion. Haffner Energy’s strategy attempts to bridge the cost gap required to meet the 6% minimum SAF blending mandate enforced in Europe by 2030.
Operators in the renewable fuel sector should monitor the performance of Haffner Energy’s upcoming industrial demonstrator to evaluate the viability of non-oil feedstocks. Reducing feedstock volatility will be a key performance indicator for firms looking to compete as aviation mandates tighten.
The takeaway
The transition to solid biomass feedstocks offers a potential pathway to significantly lower the production costs currently stalling SAF adoption. Industry players should track the demonstrator's output efficiency against traditional HEFA benchmarks to determine when this technology becomes a viable procurement option.
What happens next
Haffner Energy plans to commission an industrial demonstrator plant in 2027 or 2028.
Further reading
For more on evolving fuel production technologies, see our Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hydrocarbononline.
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