eFuels co-production: Road traffic crucial for climate-friendly air traffic

How the co-production of eFuels enables climate-friendly air travel

The debate on the decarbonization of the transport sector often focuses on individual solutions for specific areas. In the case of aviation, e-kerosene is considered indispensable, as the electrification of aircraft is technically and economically unfeasible. However, in order to produce enough e-kerosene for climate-friendly aviation, we need to look at the entire fuel market, especially road transport.

Co-production: inseparable production of different fuels

Refinery-based fuel production is a technical co-production process in which several products are created simultaneously from one raw material. Whether in the processing of fossil crude oil or synthetic crude oil substitute (syncrude) – different fuels are always produced in refineries:

Diesel fuel
Gasoline (petrol)
Kerosene
Other by-products

This co-production is due to technical reasons and cannot be fully controlled, meaning that a mix of different fuels is always produced. Even specialized plants can only increase the proportion of individual products to a limited extent.

FT-Syncrude and MTG processes: The key to sufficient eKerosene production

The production of synthetic fuels can be based on various processes, in particular Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT-Syncrude) and the methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) process. Both processes offer opportunities to produce climate-neutral fuels on a large scale.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT-Syncrude)

Process: A synthetic crude oil is produced from hydrogen and carbon monoxide by means of catalytic reactions.
End products: This crude oil is further processed in refineries, producing various fuels such as e-kerosene, e-diesel and e-gasoline.
Advantages: Flexibility in the choice of raw materials (e.g. use of biomass, waste materials or CO₂) and high product quality.

Methanol-to-gasoline (MTG)

Process: Production of methanol from renewable hydrogen and CO₂, which is then converted into synthetic fuels.
End products: Mainly e-gasoline, but also by-products such as e-kerosene and e-diesel.
Advantages: Direct conversion of methanol into fuels and existing infrastructure can be used.

Synergy of both processes for sufficient e-kerosene production

Co-production: Both processes lead to the creation of several fuels as co-products.
Sufficient quantities: The parallel use of FT-Syncrude and MTG processes for the production of synthetic fuels for road transportation will generate sufficient quantities of e-kerosene to make domestic air traffic climate-neutral.
Optimization: The combination of both processes can increase efficiency and increase the yield of required fuels.

Ergo: If you want climate-friendly air traffic, you have to ensure eFuels in road traffic.

Economic synergies through a holistic approach

Cost reduction through economies of scale: Large-scale production of eFuels for road transportation leads to economies of scale that reduce production costs for all fuels, including eKerosene.
Investment incentives: A larger market for eFuels increases the attractiveness for investors, which accelerates the expansion of production capacities.
Secure demand: The inclusion of road transportation will ensure stable and high demand for all co-products.

Regulatory framework conditions as a success factor

Appropriate political measures are needed to realize these synergies:

Recognition of eFuels in road traffic: Legal approvals and subsidies for eFuels in road traffic create a market for the co-products.
Mandatory blending quotas: Mandatory quotas for blending eFuels into fossil fuels increase demand and promote production.
Technology-neutral strategies: Instead of focusing exclusively on electromobility, an open technology policy should be pursued that also takes eFuels into account.

Summary: Working together towards climate-friendly mobility

The production of e-kerosene cannot be considered in isolation. Due to the technical co-production, it is inevitable that the production of synthetic fuels for road transport will also produce sufficient quantities of e-kerosene. The promotion of eFuels in road transport is therefore a decisive step towards enabling climate-friendly air traffic.

Conclusion:

Interdependence of fuels: eKerosene, eDiesel and ePetrol are technically and economically interlinked.
Holistic approach required: Successful decarbonization of the transport sector requires solutions that incorporate all areas.
Need for political action: Without a suitable regulatory framework, climate-friendly air traffic will be blocked.

Act now: promoting eFuels for road and air

It is up to us to set the right course for a climate-neutral future. If you want climate-friendly air traffic, you have to ensure eFuels in road traffic. With a holistic strategy, we can promote investment, drive innovation and achieve our climate targets.

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