03-06-2025

ShiftMax™ 100 RE catalyst from Clariant powers groundbreaking e-Fuels plant

Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today announced that its ShiftMax 100 RE catalyst is powering INERATEC's advanced e-Fuels production plant, “ERA ONE” in the industrial park Frankfurt Hoechst, Germany. The facility, officially opening on June 3, will recycle approximately 8,000 tons of CO₂ annually and transform it into up to 2,500 tons of synthetic fuels and waxes. This production capacity represents one of the largest Power-to-Liquids operations globally, positioning both companies at the forefront of sustainable fuel technology innovation.

Georg Anfang, Vice President at Clariant, said, "Our collaboration with INERATEC demonstrates how Clariant's catalyst technologies are helping to make sustainable fuels a commercial reality. As global demand for sustainable aviation fuels continues to grow, driven by both regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability commitments, our catalyst technologies are helping to bridge the gap between conventional and renewable energy systems."

Tim Boeltken, co-founder and CEO of INERATEC, commented, "Together with Clariant we have formed a strong innovation partnership to ensure highest quality and robustness of our new facility. Their ShiftMax 100 RE catalyst provides excellent activity and stability which is essential for our innovative technology. This enables us to produce drop-in ready e-fuels that meet the demanding standards of the fuel industry. “

Based in Karlsruhe, Germany, INERATEC is committed to defossilizing the world by producing e-Fuels and e-chemicals at scale: low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels for the aviation, shipping, and chemical industries. Its modular, scalable plants use renewable hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ to produce kerosene-SAF, synthetic gasoline, e-Diesel or e-Waxes.

Clariant's ShiftMax 100 RE catalyst presents several critical advantages for industrial e-fuels production. Used in the reverse water gas shift process, the nickel-based reforming catalyst offers high efficiency in converting green H2 and captured CO₂ into renewable syngas, the precursor for synthetic fuel. It also excels in selectivity, resistance to coking, and high-temperature stability while offering an extended lifetime. These combined properties enable greater productivity and durability, which are paramount for economic viability.

The e-Fuels produced at the INERATEC facility directly replace conventional fuels. They can be used as drop-in replacements in existing engines and infrastructure without modification, making them an attractive near-term solution for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, where electrification remains challenging.