Honeywell, a global leader in energy and sustainability solutions, has unveiled an innovative biomass conversion technology that transforms agricultural and forestry waste into affordable, high-performance renewable fuels. This next-generation process is designed to support hard-to-decarbonize industries such as shipping and aviation by producing low-carbon marine fuel, gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from readily available biomass sources like wood chips and crop residues.
Transforming Agricultural Waste into Renewable Marine Fuel
Honeywell’s new Biocrude Upgrading process technology enables the efficient conversion of plant and agricultural byproducts into drop-in renewable fuels that can be used with existing engines and infrastructure. For ship operators, this means a cost-effective and cleaner alternative to traditional heavy fuel oil—without the need for expensive retrofits.
With higher energy density than most biofuel alternatives, Honeywell’s renewable marine fuel allows vessels to travel longer distances while significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
“Honeywell continues to drive innovation where our customers need it most,” said Ken West, President of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions. “The maritime industry has a pressing need for renewable fuels that are both scalable and cost-effective. Our Biocrude Upgrading technology is modular, efficient, and designed to deliver savings from installation through to refining and operation.”
Modular Design for Faster Deployment and Lower Costs
Honeywell’s Biocrude Upgrading units can be installed in modular form, helping customers reduce risk and shorten project timelines by minimizing on-site construction. Agricultural and forestry waste can be converted directly into biocrude oil at collection points, reducing transport costs and logistics challenges.
Once processed, the biocrude can be refined into renewable marine fuel, gasoline, or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that performs on par with traditional fossil fuels—addressing one of the industry’s biggest barriers to biofuel adoption.
Supporting the Global Transition to Low-Carbon Shipping
The launch of Honeywell’s Biocrude Upgrading technology comes as the global maritime industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Since the 1960s, heavy fuel oil has powered the majority of the world’s ships, contributing to roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. With Honeywell’s renewable fuel technology, the sector now has a viable pathway to meet both regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability goals.
