Honeywell introduced a modular biocrude upgrading system that converts agricultural and forestry residues into drop‑in marine fuel, gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The process uses inexpensive biomass such as wood chips and crop residues, achieving a 30% reduction in lifecycle CO₂ emissions compared with conventional heavy fuel oil.
The technology delivers fuels with an energy density 12% higher than current biofuel alternatives, allowing vessels to extend range without engine modifications. Honeywell reports that the modular units can be prefabricated and installed in 12–18 months, cutting project timelines by up to 40% relative to traditional refinery construction.
Honeywell’s system is positioned as a scalable solution for the maritime sector, which accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The company estimates that the low‑carbon marine fuel market could reach $631 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 52.4% from 2024.
The launch follows Honeywell’s existing renewable fuels portfolio, including Ecofining, Ethanol to Jet, Fischer‑Tropsch, and UOP eFining. The new biocrude upgrade process differentiates itself by using a proprietary catalytic pathway that reduces processing time by 25% and lowers capital costs by 15% compared with conventional hydrodeoxygenation.
Honeywell is currently in the pilot phase, with a 50‑tonne per day demonstration plant operating in a U.S. feedstock hub. Early customers include a major shipping line that plans to deploy the technology on its next generation of container vessels.
The technology aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s Net‑Zero Framework, which aims to cut shipping emissions by 50% by 2050. Honeywell estimates that each ton of fuel produced could save up to 1.5 tons of CO₂e relative to heavy fuel oil.
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