Licella advances engineering phase for SAF site in Queensland

Australian green energy technology company Licella said it is advancing engineering and site investigations for Project Swift, a proposed biorefinery in the Bundaberg region of Queensland, backed by an AUS $8m ($5.2m) grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

This next phase follows the announcement of ARENA funding and moves the company closer to a FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) phase. The company has engaged Technip energies and EMM Consulting to support the work including early engineering design, planning and environmental studies and detailed site assessments.

“This is a significant step forward for Project Swift, as we move from concept to action,” said David Taylor, executive general manager Asia and Australasia at Licella.

The detailed engineering and feasibility phase of Licella’s Project Swift is expected to take 18–24 months, including detailed FEED, ahead of a final investment design targeted for the second half of 2026.

Project Swift will use Licella’s proprietary Cat-HTR™ hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology to convert sugarcane residues like bagasse into low carbon liquid fuels.

The facility is expected to produce up to 60m litres of low-carbon fuels annually – including around 40m litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).