Nextchem licenses NX Circular™ technology for SUSTAERO’s Canadian biomass-based SAF project, supporting low-carbon aviation fuel production expansion.
MAIRE, through its technology subsidiary Nextchem and MyRechemical, has signed a licensing agreement with SUSTAERO GP Inc. for the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project in Canada. Under the agreement, Nextchem will provide its proprietary NX Circular™ technology for the biomass-to-syngas conversion section, which serves as the initial step in producing low-carbon aviation fuel.
The project will convert forest residues and wood waste into purified chemical-grade syngas using advanced high-temperature gasification and purification processes. The syngas will subsequently be transformed into SAF, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. The facility is expected to begin operations by 2030 with an initial production capacity of up to 144,000 tons of SAF annually, with the potential to expand production capacity by four times in the future.
The project supports Canada’s growing focus on utilizing forest residues as a renewable feedstock while reducing wildfire risks associated with biomass accumulation. By integrating SUSTAERO’s proprietary SOAR™ process with Nextchem’s NX Circular™ technology, the project aims to establish a reliable and scalable supply chain for advanced SAF production.
Following the Final Investment Decision (FID), Nextchem may further expand its involvement through the provision of Process Design Packages, proprietary equipment, technical services, and catalysts. The agreement highlights rising market demand for biomass-to-fuel technologies that support circular economy goals and aviation decarbonization.
Market Impact : The project is expected to have a moderately positive long-term impact on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market by increasing renewable fuel availability and accelerating the commercialization of biomass-to-SAF technologies. With an initial production capacity of 144,000 tons per year from 2030, the facility will contribute to improving SAF supply security and support the aviation sector’s decarbonization goals.
The additional SAF volumes may place slight downward pressure on SAF prices over the long term by easing supply constraints and gradually reducing the cost premium compared with conventional jet fuel. However, the impact on the global jet fuel and kerosene market is expected to remain limited in the short term due to the relatively small scale of the project compared with overall aviation fuel demand.
Over the longer term, increasing SAF production and stricter blending mandates in North America and Europe may create a slightly bearish outlook for fossil-based jet fuel and kerosene demand growth. The key beneficiaries of this development are expected to be biomass suppliers, gasification technology providers, SAF manufacturers, and airlines seeking to reduce carbon emissions, as greater adoption of advanced SAF pathways will encourage further investments in low-carbon aviation fuel production.
