June 18, 2025

Synhelion and INERATEC expand their collaboration to accelerate solar fuel production

Synhelion, a global leader in solar fuel technology, and INERATEC, a global leader in synthetic fuel production via Power-to-X, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their long-standing collaboration with the aim to roll out solar fuel production in Europe.

This strategic decision follows the successful integration of their complementary technologies at Synhelion’s industrial-scale plant DAWN in Jülich, Germany. At DAWN, Synhelion uses its solar thermochemical process to produce syngas – a key precursor for synthetic fuels – and then converts it into synthetic crude oil (syncrude) in a Fischer-Tropsch production module from INERATEC. After successfully producing fuels at plant DAWN, the integration of these two technologies has proven both seamless and effective, reinforcing the companies’ shared vision of scalable, renewable fuel solutions.

Since its commissioning in late summer 2024, Synhelion’s facility DAWN has exceeded expectations, showcasing key performance indicators that highlight its viability for large-scale operations. The plant has already achieved over 1’000 operating hours, consistently demonstrating stable and reliable performance. Just a few months after commissioning, fuel production is operating at 90% of the plant’s nameplate capacity, indicating strong alignment with design parameters. The syngas produced has reached nominal quality parameters, meeting the optimal specifications for downstream fuel synthesis. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has produced high-quality syncrude and wax fractions, which have already been refined to blend-in compatible kerosene, gasoline, and diesel.

Building on this success, Synhelion and INERATEC are aligning their expertise with the intent to realize a joint solar fuel project in Europe. Against mounting EU mandates and growing demand for renewable fuels, this partnership marks an acceleration in the race to industrialize sustainable energy alternatives – and positions two European climate pioneers at the center of that transition.

“The outstanding performance of DAWN demonstrates the viability and maturity of our solar fuel technology. INERATEC’s Fischer-Tropsch technology is an ideal complement to our process, and together we’re aiming to scale renewable fuel production in Europe,” said Philipp Furler, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Synhelion.

“At INERATEC, our mission is clear: to drive the transition to a sustainable, fossil-free future. Solar fuels are a key part of this vision. By combining our technologies, we are taking concrete steps to defossilize hard-to-abate sectors.,” stated Tim Böltken, co-founder and CEO of INERATEC.

With this reinforced alliance, Synhelion and INERATEC are advancing the production of renewable synthetic fuels – offering a practical path to defossilize the transportation sector and contributing to supply security and energy independence in Europe.