13-02-2025

Gevo and Axens partner to develop and commercialise bio-based renewable hydrocarbon fuels

Gevo, Inc. and Axens are pleased to announce they have formed a new strategic alliance to accelerate development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using the ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) pathway. The goal of the alliance is to leverage the most advantaged technologies, which today is Axens, best-in-class and commercialized, Jetanol™ technology. The alliance brings each partner’s complementary value propositions, real-world experience, de-risked technologies, plant integrations, and pre-engineered systems to the ETJ space. The parties are also combining their technical resources to accelerate commercialization of Gevo’s patented, next-generation ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) for further process and cost improvements. 

“Today, Axens and Gevo are delivering the most cost-effective, commercially proven SAF technology with Axens Jetanol™ and Gevo’s process and business system,” says Paul Bloom, Chief Business Officer for Gevo. “By expanding our partnership to accelerate the commercialization of Gevo’s ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) technology, we’re combining our industry expertise to further reduce costs and create SAF that is competitive with fossil fuels while capitalizing on the growing carbon market.”

Axens and Gevo are building on their previous successful commercial cooperation to ensure they remain leaders in the ETJ space by partnering with IFPEN on the final development and commercial deployment of Gevo’s next-generation ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) process for fuel applications, that can achieve zero carbon intensity or better. Gevo’s ETO process produces light olefins from ethanol, which can then be converted to transportation fuels utilising commercially proven oligomerisation and hydrogenation technologies. 

Provided the technology development is completed successfully, Gevo is expected to lead deployment of its ETO technology in North America with an effort to bring high-quality jobs and economic development to rural America, and Axens would provide process licensing, catalyst, equipment, and engineering services globally.

“The immense potential for both our companies to lead the future of air travel decarbonisation is an obvious way forward,” says Quentin Debuisschert, CEO of Axens. “The combination of Gevo market know-how and capacity of project development with Axens best-in-class technology, Jetanol™, shall allow a fast acceptance and adoption of the ETJ Pathway. The future ETO technology commercialization will keep Axens and Gevo on the cutting edge of the ETJ pathway by offering end-users and project developers the possibility to select the most attractive technology for their situation.” 

“We believe that continuing to reduce production costs and capital costs for drop-in hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals has the potential to create large numbers of jobs, spur rural economic development, and create clear, market-based incentives for regenerative agriculture,” says Dr. Pat Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “It adds up to a practical approach for increased energy production and better energy security. This is a real way forward: it drives costs lower, uses the same, established fuel infrastructure, has proven and auditable improvements in sustainability, including how land is used, and offers large benefits to our society, and, in particular, strengthens our rural communities. We see this can be done, and we are pursuing it. It’s the right thing to do.”