Honeywell has introduced a pioneering technology that converts agricultural and forestry waste into ready-to-use renewable fuels for hard-to-abate sectors such as the maritime industry. The innovation enables the production of low-carbon marine fuel, gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from abundant biomass sources like wood chips and crop residues.

For ship operators, these ready-to-use or “drop-in” fuels offer a cost-effective and lower-carbon alternative to traditional heavy fuel oil. With a higher energy density than many current biofuel alternatives, the renewable marine fuel can extend a vessel’s range without requiring costly engine upgrades.

“Honeywell’s Biocrude Upgrading technology tackles key challenges in renewable fuel production—cost and feedstock availability—by converting low-cost, locally available residues such as forest and agricultural waste into lower-carbon fuels at reduced production costs,” said Ranjit Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager, Energy and Sustainability Solutions, Honeywell India.

He added that the innovation aligns with Honeywell’s commitment to supporting India’s energy transition through scalable, sustainable, and economically viable technologies that help industries meet the nation’s clean energy goals.

The process allows plant and agricultural waste to be converted into lower-carbon biocrude at collection sites, keeping transport costs low. The biocrude can then be refined at major facilities to produce marine fuel, gasoline, or SAF, addressing long-standing challenges in converting biocrudes into fuels with performance comparable to conventional fuel.

Honeywell’s Biocrude Upgrading process can also be delivered as a prefabricated modular plant, helping customers reduce project risk and accelerate implementation by simplifying site construction activities.

The introduction of this technology comes as shipping companies increasingly seek to cut their carbon emissions in response to customer expectations and global regulations. Since the 1960s, heavy fuel oil—a by-product of refining gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—has been the dominant energy source for maritime operations and a major contributor to the sector’s three per cent share of global greenhouse gas emissions.