Honeywell has unveiled a pioneering technology that transforms agricultural and forestry waste into ready-to-use renewable fuels for sectors that are hard to decarbonize, including maritime transport. The process generates lower-carbon marine fuel, gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from low-cost, widely available biomass such as crop residues and wood chips, according to the press release.
For ship operators, these “drop-in” fuels offer a cost-efficient, lower-carbon alternative to traditional heavy fuel oil. With a higher energy density than many existing biofuels, the renewable marine fuel can extend a vessel’s operational range without the need for expensive engine modifications.
“Honeywell continues to innovate in areas where our customers need solutions most,” said Ken West, president of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions. “The maritime sector requires renewable fuels that are both readily available and affordable. Our Biocrude Upgrading technology can be deployed in modular form, delivering savings from installation through refining and end use.”
The technology allows plant and agricultural waste to be converted into lower-carbon biocrude at feedstock collection sites, minimizing transport costs. This biocrude can then be refined at major facilities to produce marine fuel, gasoline, or SAF, overcoming long-standing challenges in achieving fuel performance comparable to conventional products.
Honeywell’s Biocrude Upgrading process can be implemented as a prefabricated modular plant, helping customers reduce risk and speed up project timelines by simplifying construction.
The launch comes as shipping companies face growing pressure from both regulations and customers to cut carbon emissions. Since the 1960s, the maritime sector has primarily relied on heavy fuel oil—a byproduct of refining gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—which accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
