Synthetic fuels and e-fuels market intelligence
Power-to-liquid pathways, e-kerosene, e-methane, and the Fischer-Tropsch value chain.
Synthetic fuels — also called e-fuels or power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels — are produced by combining green hydrogen with captured CO₂ to create liquid hydrocarbons that are chemically identical to conventional fossil fuels. Because they are drop-in compatible with existing engines, aircraft, ships, and fuel infrastructure, synfuels are considered essential for decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification is not feasible: long-haul aviation, ocean shipping, and certain industrial applications.
The dominant production pathway is Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, which converts synthesis gas (hydrogen + carbon monoxide) into liquid hydrocarbons including e-kerosene (synthetic jet fuel), e-diesel, and e-naphtha. Alternative routes include methanol-to-fuels pathways and direct CO₂ hydrogenation. The primary cost drivers are green hydrogen price and the cost of captured CO₂ — making synthetic fuels among the most expensive decarbonization options currently available.
Regulatory mandates are creating demand. The EU's ReFuelEU Aviation requires a dedicated sub-mandate for synthetic aviation fuels (e-kerosene), starting at 1.2% in 2030 and rising to 35% by 2050. Germany has implemented a national e-fuels quota for road transport. Several countries are developing PtL strategies targeting domestic production or import from regions with cheap renewable energy. Despite high costs, the pipeline of announced PtL projects is growing, particularly in Northern Europe, the Middle East, Chile, and Australia.
Delphidata tracks synthetic fuel projects across all production pathways, from small pilot plants to commercial-scale facilities. Coverage includes Fischer-Tropsch and methanol-to-fuels technology providers, hydrogen and CO₂ feedstock integration, off-take agreements with airlines and fuel distributors, and the policy mandates creating the market for e-fuels.
What Delphidata tracks.
Structured data across the full value chain.
PtL production projects
Power-to-liquid and e-fuel production facilities — from pilot demonstrations to commercial-scale plants. Mapped with production pathway (Fischer-Tropsch, methanol-to-fuels, direct hydrogenation), output product (e-kerosene, e-diesel, e-methane, e-naphtha), capacity, hydrogen and CO₂ sources, technology provider, and project timeline.
Technology providers
Fischer-Tropsch technology licensors (Ineratec, Synkero, Nordic Electrofuel, INERATEC), methanol-to-fuels developers, direct CO₂ hydrogenation innovators, and catalyst manufacturers. Tracking technology readiness, reference projects, and licensing agreements.
Feedstock integration
Green hydrogen supply (electrolyzer capacity), CO₂ sources (direct air capture, point source capture, biogenic CO₂), and the integration of these feedstock streams at production facilities. Mapping the full upstream value chain for each PtL project.
Off-take and demand
Purchase agreements between e-fuel producers and airlines, shipping companies, fuel distributors, and industrial consumers. Tracking contracted volumes, pricing mechanisms, certification requirements, and delivery timelines.
Mandates and economics
ReFuelEU e-kerosene sub-mandate, German PtL quota, national e-fuel strategies, and production subsidy mechanisms. Tracking how regulatory mandates translate into demand certainty and how production costs evolve relative to mandate-driven pricing.
Who uses this intelligence.
Airlines and aviation companies
Monitor e-kerosene supply development for compliance with ReFuelEU and other blending mandates, evaluate supplier reliability, track production cost trajectories, and plan long-term procurement strategies for synthetic aviation fuel.
E-fuel project developers
Benchmark project economics against competitors, track technology provider performance, identify optimal production locations based on hydrogen and CO₂ cost, and monitor regulatory developments creating demand certainty.
Investors
Screen PtL project investments by technology readiness, feedstock security, off-take commitments, and regulatory support. Assess the long-term cost reduction trajectory for synthetic fuels against competing decarbonization pathways.
Hydrogen and CO₂ suppliers
Identify demand for hydrogen and captured CO₂ from the synthetic fuels sector, track co-location requirements, and monitor how PtL project development creates new offtake demand for electrolyzer capacity and carbon capture infrastructure.