HAMR announces plans to develop MtJ facility in Australia

Australian low carbon liquid fuels company HAMR Energy announced plans to develop a $700-800m methanol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility to help decarbonise aviation sector.

The company said it currently working on a feasibility study.

“With the right policy settings, Australia has the opportunity to build a world-class LCLF industry, creating regional jobs, strengthening fuel security, and leveraging abundant renewable energy and biomass resources,” said David Stribley, co-founder of HAMR Energy.

“This methanol to jet facility study demonstrates our ability to deliver competitive, bankable, projects to help hard to abate industries like aviation decarbonise, whilst attracting significant investment and improving national fuel security.”

The proposed site will convert 300,000 tonnes of low carbon methanol, made from forestry residues and hydrogen at its Portland Renewable Fuels project, into approximately 125m litres of SAF.

Methanol can be produced from a wide range of sustainable sources, offering a versatile, scalable, drop-in fuel to decarbonise air travel.

HAMR said its feasibility study identified refining technology for commercial, scalable pathway to produce SAF from methanol and assess key project factors, including renewable power costs, market access, and construction economics, identifying South Australia and Victoria as ideal locations for the facility.

The company said its vertically integrated model looks after the whole production process from biomass to fuel.

HAMR said it is in the process of finalising its $10m Series A funding round, with significant interest from strategic partners and private investors.