Global Bioenergies relies on biomass to decarbonize air transport

Today, Global Bioenergies focuses on the production of isobutene for the cosmetics industry and for sustainable aviation fuels. The start-up aims to open a new plant in 2025 to produce 2,000 tonnes a year, and to finance a site dedicated to sustainable aviation fuels by 2028.

Share:

Global Bioenergies has begun producing isobutene at its pilot plant in Champagne. This molecule does not occur naturally, and is produced from sugars derived from beet residues, wood chips or downgraded cereals. This process reduces CO2 emissions by two-thirds.

The isobutene production process

Global Bioenergies CEO Marc Delcourt explains that isobutene is produced by feeding sugars to bacteria reprogrammed to produce the molecule. “You can do all sorts of things with isobutene,” he adds. When the molecules are joined in pairs, they produce isooctane, which is used in road vehicles. When attached three by three, they give isododecane, which is the basis for aviation kerosene formulation.

Global Bioenergies’ ambition

Founded in 2008, Global Bioenergies initially set out to produce sustainable road fuels. However, the fall in oil prices led to the abandonment of this ambition. Today, the company is concentrating on the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), but the necessary investment of 150 million euros is currently out of reach. To reach critical mass, the start-up is focusing on isobutene production for the cosmetics industry. Industry giant L’Oréal now owns 13.5% of the company.

Cosmetics production

Global Bioenergies produces isobutene, purifies it by removing its CO2 and packages it in gaseous form. This gas is then transformed into isododecane, which is sold to the cosmetics industry. The start-up has also created its own lipstick and mascara brand, Last. Its Pomacle plant has a production capacity of 15 to 20 tonnes a year, and is the first step on the road to the commercial market. The next objective is to open a new plant in 2025 to produce 2,000 tonnes a year, and to finance a site dedicated to sustainable aviation fuels by 2028.

The airline industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and sustainable aviation fuels are seen as the key decarbonization lever for decades to come. Global Bioenergies therefore has an important role to play in this transition to more sustainable aviation by producing isobutene from renewable sources.

  • Populaires ​
Glencore in talks with London over future of insolvent Lindsey oil refinery
US oil inventories unexpectedly rise by 3.8 million barrels
Global Oil Exploration Investments Decline, a First Since 2020
TotalEnergies sells 50% of its renewable assets in Portugal for €178.5mn
Madagascar signs with Global South Utilities to develop up to 250 MW solar
Turkey plans to start gas supplies to Syria soon, says energy minister
Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria’s and plans to begin supplying gas for power generation in the coming weeks, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
China Reaches Record Energy Demand Without Boosting LNG Purchases
Despite record electricity demand, China sees no significant increase in LNG purchases due to high prices and available alternative supplies.
US natural gas production to hit historic high in 2025
US natural gas production and consumption are expected to reach record highs in 2025, before slightly declining the following year, according to the latest forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.
Naftogaz Launches New Gas Well Despite Declining Production
Naftogaz announces the launch of a natural gas well with a daily output of 383,000 cubic meters, amid a sharp decline in Ukrainian production following several military strikes on its strategic facilities.
Sonatrach and ENI Seal $1.35 Billion Contract in Algeria
Sonatrach and ENI have signed a $1.35 billion production-sharing agreement aiming to extract 415 million barrels of hydrocarbons in Algeria's Berkine basin, strengthening energy ties between Algiers and Rome.
Maple Creek Energy launches strategic RFP for US gas project
Maple Creek Energy is soliciting proposals for its advanced 1,300 MW gas project in MISO Zone 6, targeting long-term contracts and strategic co-location partnerships with accelerated connection to the regional power grid.
VMOS secures USD 2 billion to finance its flagship Vaca Muerta project
VMOS signs a USD 2 billion loan to finance the construction of the Vaca Muerta South pipeline, aiming to boost Argentina's energy production while reducing costly natural gas imports.
Argentina forecasts 180 Mmcd to become regional supplier and major LNG exporter
According to a Wood Mackenzie report, Argentina could achieve daily gas production of 180 million cubic metres per day by 2040, aiming to become a key regional supplier and a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Côte d’Ivoire and Eni strengthen their energy partnership with the Baleine project
Côte d'Ivoire and the Italian group Eni assess progress on the Baleine energy project, whose third phase plans a daily production of 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas for the Ivorian domestic market.
Heatwave in China: Electricity Demand Surges, LNG Imports Slow
The extreme heatwave in China has led to a dramatic rise in electricity consumption, while Asia records a significant drop in liquefied natural gas imports amid a tight global energy context.
E.ON expands energy automation with a cogeneration plant in Neuss
E.ON, together with MM Neuss, commissions Europe’s first fully automated cogeneration plant, capable of achieving a 91 % fuel-use rate and cutting CO₂ emissions by 22 000 t a year.
Argentina restricts industrial gas amid historic cold snap
Facing the lowest temperatures recorded in 30 years, the Argentine government announces reductions in natural gas supply to industries to meet the exceptional rise in residential energy demand across the country.
Strong Rise in Solar Power Reduces Summer Demand for Natural Gas
Solar power generation increased sharply in the United States in June, significantly reducing natural gas consumption in the power sector, despite relatively stable overall electricity demand.
Exxon and QatarEnergy ask US for permission to re-export LNG from October
Golden Pass LNG, jointly owned by Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, has asked US authorities for permission to re-export liquefied natural gas starting October 1, anticipating the imminent launch of its operations in Texas.
Delfin Midstream secures strategic agreement with Siemens Energy and Samsung
Delfin Midstream reserves gas turbine manufacturing capacity with Siemens Energy and initiates an early works programme with Samsung Heavy Industries, ahead of its anticipated final investment decision in the autumn.
DNO secures USD 500 million financing linked to Norwegian gas
Norwegian group DNO ASA signs gas offtake contract with ENGIE and secures USD 500 million financing from a major US bank to guarantee future revenues from its Norwegian gas production.
Golar LNG raises $575mn through bond issuance and repurchases shares
Golar LNG Limited has completed a private placement of $575mn in convertible bonds due in 2030, using part of the proceeds to repurchase and cancel 2.5 million of its own common shares, thus reducing its share capital.
Shell ships first LNG cargo from its LNG Canada facility
Shell Canada Energy announces shipment of the first liquefied natural gas cargo from its LNG Canada complex, located in Kitimat, British Columbia, primarily targeting fast-growing Asian economic and energy markets.
Australia considers east coast gas reservation as market pressures intensify
The Australian government is considering the establishment of an east coast gas reservation as part of a sweeping review of market rules to ensure supply, with risks of shortages signalled by 2028.
The drilling fluids industry will reach $10.7bn by 2032 driven by oil expansion and chemical innovations
The increase in oil drilling, deepwater exploration, and chemical advances are expected to raise the global drilling fluids market to $10.7bn by 2032, according to Meticulous Research.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING