Renewable Fuels of Nob-biological Origin in the European Union - Status Report on Technology Development, Trends, Value Chains & Markets

This report investigates the status and trend of Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO), except hydrogen, which are needed to cover part of the EU’s demand for low carbon renewable fuels in the coming years. The report is an update of the CETO 2023 report. Most of the conversion technologies investigated have been already demonstrated at small-scale, and the current EU legislative framework under the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (Directive EU 2023/2413) sets specific targets for their use. As a pre-requisite, well-established solid hydrogen supply chains are needed, together with carbon capture technologies to provide carbon dioxide as Carbon Capture and Use (CCU). Fuels that may be produced starting from H2 and CO2 or N2 are hydrocarbons, alcohols and ammonia. RFNBO may play a crucial role in the energytransition towards decarbonisation, especially in hard-to-abate sectors where direct electrification is not possible. In addition, most RFNBO can use existing infrastructure. The growing interest in these fuels is witnessed by the many funding programmes which are today available. Moreover, EU leads the sector in terms of patents, companies and demonstration activities. Finally, the report considers the major challenges and the opportunities for a rapid market uptake of such fuels.