InnoFuels is the first and so far only networking and exchange platform for electricity-based fuels and advanced biofuels. It brings together potential and associated partners in a total of seven fields of activity and coordinates the interdisciplinary exchange and transfer of knowledge between a wide range of stakeholders from science, companies, associations, politics and society. The structure of the platform is explained in the adjacent graphic. You can find out more about our goals and activities here.
The InnoFuels project aims to make the rapid ramp-up of electricity-based fuels and advanced biofuels a reality, so that it can subsequently offer possible planning approaches to all interested parties. The aim is to network, develop and create framework conditions. The platform brings together various research institutions, manufacturers from the automotive, aviation and shipping industries, energy suppliers, and federal and state ministries. In addition, other associated partners are on board to benefit from their wealth of experience. The project is organised into a total of seven task-specific innovation clusters.
Participation welcome
The InnoFuels platform regularly organises workshops and other events that are open to anyone who is interested. These events are designed to provide expert input, facilitate knowledge sharing and enable networking among all participants. The individual Innovation Focus groups host the events. Participation in the workshops is free of charge. The three most recent events are listed below. You can find more on the events page. We look forward to seeing you there!
The workshop brings together key stakeholders along the maritime value chain to identify key challenges and barriers to the introduction of climate-neutral marine fuels. The aim is to develop practical solutions for a successful market ramp-up. With a particular focus on the Rostock model region, concrete measures are being developed to make the maritime energy transition efficient and sustainable.
To register
CENA Hessen invites you to this year's SAF Outlook on September 4, 2025 at the Hessian State Representation in Berlin. The focus will be on current developments, challenges and prospects in the global market for sustainable aviation fuels. Key questions regarding the implementation of the EU's SAF quotas that will apply from 2025, future production capacity, market development and political and practical framework conditions will be discussed. The event will bring together experts from politics, administration, aviation, industry, research and associations. A networking dinner will round off the evening.
To register
On September 17, InnoFuels is hosting a workshop entitled "On the way to sustainability certification: requirements, tools & process" in Leipzig. The focus will be on the practical requirements and processes surrounding sustainability certification, particularly with regard to the EU quotas for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) that will apply from 2025. The workshop is closely linked to the DBFZ's 6th Biorefinery Day, which will take place the day before on September 16, 2025 under the motto "Key technologies for bio-based products and fuels".
More information
The editorial in the new InnoFuels newsletter puts it in a nutshell:
Technology alone is not enough for the successful ramp-up of reFuels. What is needed is the interaction of all players, coordinated processes and reliable framework conditions. In addition to reviews and outlooks on current events and new publications from the InnoFuels project, the newsletter shows why cooperation is crucial, what role internationalization plays - and how we can make further progress together.
How can the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) become a reality more quickly? The latest InnoFuels report from the aviation innovation focus provides around 50 pages of practice-oriented solutions that have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders from industry, research and politics. Readers are provided with sound insights into regulatory, economic and technological levers - including concrete recommendations for action to overcome existing market hurdles. A valuable basis for anyone who wants to actively shape the SAF transformation.
To Paper
The bioliq® project at KIT demonstrated early on how residual biomass such as straw can be converted into synthetic fuel - a technological milestone that is also highly relevant for the InnoFuels platform project. The process chain comprises the shredding and drying of residual biomass, its thermochemical conversion via fast pyrolysis, the central gasification and purification of the synthesis gas and the subsequent chemical fuel synthesis. And all of this on an industrial scale. In this interview, project manager Prof. Nicolaus Dahmen looks back on the most important stages, challenges and successes of bioliq ®.
To interview
A new technical report from ISP Road&Rail summarizes how paraffinic diesel - especially HVO - affects the particle mass and particle number emissions of diesel engines. Both internal engine emissions and the effect of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems are taken into account. The paper provides important findings on engine and aftertreatment emissions and can thus support fleet operators, manufacturers and politicians in using the fuel, which has been officially approved since mid-2024, sensibly and responsibly as a climate-friendly option.
To paper
On April 2, the "Methanol-based fuels" symposium took place in Frankfurt am Main, organized by the "Production" team of the InnoFuels innovation platform. Experts from science and industry came together to discuss the current status of methanol-based fuels and the associated challenges. Key topics included the provision of renewable methanol and the processing of methanol into fuels, new business models for a successful market launch and research questions on further technological development.
More information
As part of the InnoFuels workshop at the DBFZ, experts discussed the potential and challenges of renewable LNG in the transport sector. In addition to practical experience and current research activities, the focus was on the strategic role of LNG for sustainable mobility. The workshop took place on the occasion of the official commissioning of the new pilot plant for synthesized biogas (SBG), which will research innovative technologies for the production and use of renewable methane in the future. Further information, the agenda and presentation slides can be found under the link below.
To the agenda and presentation slidesFunding
Project InnoFuels is funded with a total of 5,24 million euros by the Federal Ministry for Transport as part of the Funding Programme Renewable Fuels. The funding guideline for the development of renewable fuels is coordinated by NOW GmbH and supported by the project management agencies VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH and Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (Agency for Renewable Resources.
