Fuelling the Future 2026

Clean fuels span multiple production pathways, representing different combinations of feedstocks, conversion technologies and end-product fuels (see Figure 2). This report considers a broad definition of clean fuels that includes liquid biofuels, biogases, lower-carbon fossil fuels, synthetic fuels and other hydrogen derivatives, acknowledging the roles all will play in the coming decades (see Box 1). These fuels are a critical tool to reduce emissions in fuel-reliant sectors such as transport and industry, where energy density, storability, chemical properties and infrastructure compatibility make molecules the most competitive or only option. Molecules are particularly relevant for applications such as aviation, shipping, parts of road transport and certain industrial processes that require high heat or molecules as chemical feedstocks. Clean fuels also enable refineries to adapt to the shifting demand mix and sustain asset utilization by making use of existing energy infrastructure. This report focuses primarily on energy use in transport and industry. Other notable applications, such as the use of solid biomass and biogases in the power sector and district heating, along with the deployment of these molecules as chemical feedstocks, are not discussed in detail. Summary of main clean fuel production pathways FIGURE 2 Notes: Non-exhaustive overview of clean fuel pathways. CCS = carbon capture and storage, SAF = sustainable aviation fuel. Source: Bain & Company.Feedstocks End-pr oduct fuel Corn, sugar cane, sorghumCultivation, pr oduction, collection and pr e-processing of inputsConversion into fuel molecules using various biological or technological pr ocessesFinal gaseous or liquid fuel for use in transport and industry , or as chemical feedstock Municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge, animal manur e and other organic waste H2CO2 N2Biodiesel, renewable diesel Bio-SAF , biomethanol and other hydr ocarbonsBioethanol Biogas and biomethane Fuel synthesis, pr ocessing and upgradingHydr oprocessing or transesterificationFermentation Renewable powerBiomass Oils, fats, gr eases and lipids Novel oil cr ops Natural gasCrude oil Blue ammoniaReforming, gasification and fuel synthesis, processing and upgrading with CCSFossilConversion pr ocessing Agricultural, for estry and other lignocellulosic r esidues Low-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF)Energy origin CO2 storageFuel synthesis, pr ocessing and upgrading (e.g. gasification, pyrolysis, methanol synthesis, alcohol-to-jet) Synthetic fuels & other hydr ogen derivatives: methanol, gr een ammonia and other e-fuelsAnaer obic digestion Fuelling the Future: How Business, Finance and Policy can Accelerate the Clean Fuels Market 8