Axens expands its sustainable aviation fuel technology portfolio
Rueil-Malmaison, France 2013 July 2, 2026 2013 Axens is continuing to expand its offering in the field of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The French technology group has announced the signing of an agreement with Air Liquide to acquire its Lurgi Methanol-to-Olefins technology portfolio, including the Methanol-to-Propylene2248 (MTP2248) technology.
This acquisition enables Axens to enhance its Jetanolae platform by adding a new methanol-based pathway for the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
SAF: a key driver of aviation decarbonisation
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are drop-in aviation fuels compatible with today27s aircraft and airport infrastructure. Depending on the feedstock and production pathway used, they can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional fossil-based jet fuel.
Several production routes are currently available. The most widely deployed today is the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) pathway, which converts vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats into aviation fuel. However, the long-term growth of this route is constrained by the limited availability of these feedstocks.
As a result, alternative production pathways are being developed to diversify feedstock sources and support the future expansion of SAF production.
A new production pathway based on methanol
The technology acquired by Axens is based on the conversion of methanol.
The Methanol-to-Propylene (MTP2248) process first converts methanol into propylene, one of the key building blocks of the petrochemical industry. This propylene can then be further processed into sustainable aviation fuel through the Methanol-to-Jet (MTJ) pathway.
Already proven at commercial scale, the MTP2248 technology has an extensive industrial track record and complements the production technologies already offered by Axens.
Until now, Axens27 Jetanolae platform has primarily focused on producing SAF from ethanol. By adding the Methanol-to-Jet pathway, Axens broadens the range of solutions it can offer to industrial customers while providing greater flexibility in the choice of feedstocks.
A technology that paves the way for e-SAF
The benefits of this acquisition go beyond simply diversifying feedstock options.
When methanol is produced from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide (COb2), it can be used to produce e-SAF (electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Unlike bio-based aviation fuels, which are derived from biomass, e-SAF is a synthetic aviation fuel produced using renewable electricity, green hydrogen and captured COb2.
The Methanol-to-Jet (MTJ) pathway is therefore one of the production routes capable of delivering this type of synthetic fuel, which is expected to play an increasingly important role in the long-term decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
A more comprehensive technology portfolio
According to Jacques Rault, Executive Vice President Technologies at Axens, the acquisition strengthens the company27s ability to support sustainable aviation fuel projects.
22By integrating the Lurgi Methanol-to-Olefins technologies into Axens27 portfolio, we are strengthening our ability to provide flexible and scalable SAF solutions. This addition complements our existing Jetanolae suite and enables us to cover a broader range of feedstocks and project configurations, from bio-based SAF to e-SAF. It reinforces our ambition to provide our customers with one of the most comprehensive, secure and competitive SAF technology portfolios available on the market.22
With this acquisition, Axens further strengthens its portfolio of sustainable aviation fuel production technologies. By now covering multiple technological pathways2014 from biomass-based SAF to e-SAF produced from renewable methanol2014 the company aims to address the growing diversity of projects supporting the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.
Source: Axens
