Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Qantas, Airbus and thyssenkrupp Uhde have joined forces to support HAMR Energy’s ambition to transform plantation residues from the Green Triangle into sustainable aviation fuel and marine fuel. The backing follows the successful closure of a $10 million Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone for Australia’s emerging low-carbon fuels industry.
The capital injection is expected to accelerate development of methanol-to-jet technology and expand domestic production capacity. Industry stakeholders see the move as strategically timed. Airlines and major emitters are competing to secure long-term access to sustainable aviation fuel as decarbonisation targets tighten globally.
HAMR Energy’s co-founder, David Stribley, has described the funding as essential to building a sovereign low-carbon liquid fuels sector. The investment was secured from a consortium of aviation and industrial players. Strong industry alignment is being signalled through this partnership model.
The Green Triangle region, spanning south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia, has been identified as a prime feedstock hub. It offers scale. It operates year-round. It has established harvesting and transport networks. These factors are viewed as critical advantages in supporting renewable fuel production at commercial volumes.
Nick Chan, Director of Corporate Strategy at OneFortyOne, which manages plantation estates across Australia and New Zealand, has characterised the development as a pivotal moment for plantation forestry. According to Chan, the region’s integrated logistics and consistent biomass supply strengthen its capacity to underpin a reliable low-carbon fuels supply chain.
HAMR Energy’s flagship project, the Portland Renewable Fuels facility, is planned to convert plantation residues into 300,000 tonnes of low-carbon methanol annually. The methanol can be used directly as marine fuel. It can also be upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel through a methanol-to-jet process.
Global demand for sustainable aviation fuel is forecast to expand sharply, with projections indicating it could reach 500 million tonnes by 2050. Production capacity will need to scale rapidly. Domestic supply chains are therefore being prioritised.
A second development, described as Australia’s first major methanol-to-jet plant, is expected to deliver 135 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel each year. Hundreds of regional jobs are anticipated to be supported. Economic activity is likely to increase across surrounding communities.
For Qantas, investment in domestic sustainable aviation fuel production aligns with its broader decarbonisation strategy. The airline has committed to increasing its use of sustainable aviation fuel over coming decades. A domestic supply base is seen as vital. Regional employment opportunities are expected to be created. Broader economic benefits could also flow across Australia.
Fiona Messent, Chief Sustainability Officer at Qantas, has indicated that HAMR Energy’s vertically integrated model represents tangible progress towards establishing a local industry. The approach integrates feedstock sourcing, processing and fuel upgrading. This structure is intended to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen national energy resilience.
Airbus has also highlighted the strategic value of the methanol-to-jet pathway. Stephen Forshaw, the company’s chief representative for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, has described the technology as a promising route to accelerate aviation’s energy transition. Expanded production across multiple Australian states could broaden offtake access. National coverage is considered important for airlines operating extensive domestic networks.
The Series A raise follows earlier research initiatives undertaken by HAMR Energy. In 2025, the company confirmed collaboration on the Fibre to Fuels (F2F) programme with the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre for Sustainable Futures on the Sunshine Coast. The initiative is examining the commercial feasibility of converting plantation residues into methanol using entrained-flow gasification.
Through this process, woody biomass is subjected to high temperatures in a controlled environment. Syngas is produced. It is then synthesised into methanol. The pathway is regarded as scalable. It is also considered compatible with existing forestry operations.
Alex Smith, Director at HAMR Energy, has stated that residues from plantations in Tasmania, Western Australia and the Green Triangle are being assessed for conversion potential. The objective is to unlock additional value streams for forestry operators. Emissions from aviation and shipping are intended to be reduced simultaneously.
Significant volumes of plantation residues are currently underutilised. These materials can be repurposed into renewable fuels. Value can therefore be retained within regional economies. Supply chains can be strengthened.
The involvement of industrial technology provider thyssenkrupp Uhde underscores the engineering depth behind the projects. Process design expertise will be required. Commercial deployment must meet stringent performance and sustainability standards.
Momentum within Australia’s renewable energy sector continues to build. Policy frameworks are evolving. Investor appetite is increasing. Projects such as Portland Renewable Fuels are being positioned as foundational infrastructure for a low-carbon fuels market.
If delivered at scale, the developments could reinforce Australia’s role in sustainable aviation fuel production within the Asia-Pacific region. Plantation forestry assets are being reframed as strategic energy resources. A new industrial pathway is being established.
News Source- https://woodcentral.com
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Tags: australian forestry, Green Triangle, low-carbon fuels, plantation residues, renewable energy Australia, sustainable aviation fuel, woodworking, woodworking and processing
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