INERATEC, a leading German cleantech company, officially opened its ERA ONE plant in Frankfurt-Höchst, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s energy transition. As the largest Power-to-Liquid (PtL) facility in Europe, ERA ONE is set to produce up to 2,500 metric tons of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels annually, supporting the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets.

The plant, which quietly began operations several weeks ago, manufactures e-Fuels and e-Chemicals using carbon dioxide from biogenic sources and renewable hydrogen. These are transformed into synthetic crude oil, which is further processed into sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), e-diesel and other drop-in-ready products compatible with existing infrastructure.

“ERA ONE offers a real solution to one of our era’s greatest challenges: emissions from sectors that cannot be easily electrified, such as aviation and shipping,” said Tim Böltken, co-founder and CEO of INERATEC, at the plant’s inauguration. “We are not only replacing fossil molecules with green ones—we are also demonstrating that climate-neutral e-Fuels are technologically viable and commercially ready.”

Attended by key figures from government, industry and academia, the opening ceremony highlighted the project’s broad impact. Kaweh Mansoori, Hesse’s Minister of Economic Affairs, praised the project as a landmark step toward European energy independence and a testament to the region’s appeal for innovative enterprises.

INERATEC’s modular plant design enables scalable production. The company plans to significantly increase its output by 2030 through additional projects, aligning with regulations like the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, which mandates minimum shares of sustainable aviation fuels.

The ERA ONE facility is strategically integrated within the Frankfurt-Höchst industrial park. Its two main inputs—CO2 and hydrogen—are sourced locally: the CO2 is derived from a biogas plant that recycles organic waste, while the hydrogen is a byproduct of chlorine manufacturing. The synthetic crude oil produced can also be used to manufacture sustainable base chemicals, aiding the chemical industry’s decarbonization.

The project is backed by strong financial support, including a €70 million package comprising €40 million in venture debt from the European Investment Bank and a €30 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment also contributed funding under its Environmental Innovation Programme.

INERATEC is headquartered in Karlsruhe and supported by an array of international investors, including Piva Capital, HG Ventures, TDK Ventures, and others. The company remains focused on decarbonizing hard-to-electrify industries through innovative, scalable e-Fuel and e-Chemical solutions.