Axens joins FACET pre-FEED study for Australian eFuel project
Process technologies company Axens said it is joining the Downer Group, CEA and H2Potential’s joint pre-front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) study for an eFuel plant in Australia which is part of the FrancoAustralian Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition (FACET).
“We are proud to join this ground-breaking Franco-Australian initiative, which uniquely combines the expertise of our two countries into a single, collaborative effort,” said Mai-Phuong Do, managing director for Axens South East Asia.
The three firms, Downer Group, CEA and H2Potential have been working on the plant’s pre-FEED since early 2025 with plans to produce synthetic fuels for aviation and maritime sectors.
Axens said it will bring play its role as a global technology provider to the project, contributing proven process technologies and industrial analysis to support the development of advanced downstream eFuels production pathways.
“We are delighted to welcome Axens to this pioneering initiative. Their proven expertise in sustainable fuel technologies strengthens our collective ambition to accelerate the energy transition and deliver innovative solutions for hard-to-abate sectors,” said Sarah Cumming, FACET, co-director.
The companies said that the partnership would strengthen the group’s existing capabilities, including Downer’s strength as a Tier 1 constructor and integrator; CEA’s research leadership in eFuel synthesis pathways, carbon capture, and hydrogen technologies; and H2Potential’s expertise in hydrogen development and eFuels.
The group is targeting to complete pre-FEED in April 2026.
Axens is a provider of process technologies, developed by IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), catalysts, equipment and services for the refining and petrochemical sectors, with a portfolio of energy transition technologies, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and chemical recycling of plastics.
Earlier this week, in a separate announcement, Axens said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to work together on development of SAF.
The partnership will see both companies building on their respective leadership in renewable fuels technologies and aeronautics innovation.
Through this collaboration, the two firms will engage in structured discussions on technical aspects of SAF pathways to enhance their shared understanding of current and future technologies, reinforcing ongoing exchanges between their technical teams.
Launched in 2023 through the partnership of French and Australian governments, FACET works to strengthen Australia and France’s bilateral relationship by building cooperation on sustainable and inclusive energy initiatives, and support energy transition needs in the Indo-Pacific region.