Since early 2025, Downer Group, CEA and H2Potential have been developing a pre-FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) study for an Australian eFuels Plant under the Franco-Australian Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition (FACET). This plant will produce synthetic fuels (eFuels) for the maritime and aviation sectors - addressing two hard-to-abate industries critical to global decarbonisation - while strengthening critical regional fuel security. With more than 80% of Australia’s liquid fuels currently imported, which account for over half of the nation’s final energy demand, the project will harness Australia’s abundant low-carbon renewable energy resources and the latest technologies to produce secure, low-carbon eFuels.
Axens is a leading international provider of process technologies, catalysts, equipment and services for the refining and petrochemical sectors, with a large and validated portfolio of energy transition technologies, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and chemical recycling of plastics.
Axens brings 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. This further strengthens the group’s existing capabilities, including Downer’s strength as a Tier 1 constructor and integrator with decades of delivery across Australia’s industrial and power generation sectors; CEA’s world-renowned research leadership in eFuel synthesis pathways, carbon capture, and hydrogen technologies; and H2Potential’s globally recognised deep expertise in hydrogen development and eFuels.
With Axens joining the project, these shared capabilities form a tightly integrated project team, combining research excellence, industrial engineering expertise and global technology leadership to address the challenges of decarbonising maritime and aviation transport, while strengthening regional fuel security.
The Pre-FEED is scheduled for completion in April 2026.
Australia plays a strategic role in the development of eFuels, thanks to its promising renewable electricity production potential which is essential for economically viable synthetic eFuels production. We are proud to join this groundbreaking Franco-Australian initiative, which uniquely combines the expertise of our two countries into a single, collaborative effort.
The energy transition is a complex challenge that requires collaboration and innovation. By working closely with universities, research institutions, and industry, we can unlock practical solutions that drive real impact. With decades of expertise in solution architecture, asset management, industrial services and power generation, Downer is proud to play a key role in this project alongside Axens, CEA and H2Potential as part of FACET. eFuels represent a critical piece of the puzzle in reducing emissions across hard-to-decarbonise industries like maritime and aviation. This initiative reflects our commitment to practical, future-focused solutions that help create a more sustainable tomorrow.
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.
We are glad to see Axens joining the team, helping us to demonstrate how we can produce e-SAF at cost. While the current Hydroprocess Ester and Fatty Acid route (HEFA) is limited by the availability of waste oil, and the alcohol to jet fuel strongly relies on the availability of biomass, we see power to liquid converting CO2 and hydrogen as an essential route to scale up SAF.
As an R&D institute specializing in technology and process expertise, we found the collaboration with Axens to be highly productive. The complementary expertise contributed to the techno-economics of jet production, combined with their team's professionalism and responsiveness, made them a standout technology partner.
About Axens
Axens group (www.axens.net) provides a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics and all natural gas treatment and conversion options. The offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is also specialized in Carbon Capture. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility study to unit start-up and follow-up throughout the entire unit life cycle. This unique position ensures the highest level of performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Axens global offer is based on highly trained human resources, modern production facilities and an extended global network for industrial, technical supports & commercial services. Axens is an IFP Group company.
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