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, developed by IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), 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.
