Commercial status of direct thermochemical liquefaction technologies

The full report is available here.

Direct thermochemical liquefaction (DTL) of biomass is an important pathway to produce liquid biofuels and biochemicals for the circular economy. DTL technologies include fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and solvolysis processes.

The aim of this report, commissioned by IEA Bioenergy Task 34 (biomass liquefaction), is to highlight how DTL technologies currently have a role to play in mobilizing biomass into the energy (heat, power and transport) and chemicals sectors, and to highlight the key features of commercially successful DTL operations. The report covers current commercial activity, near-to-market activities (e.g. demonstration plants) and some recently decommissioned plants.

Details of 11 commercial and 15 demonstration scale DTL plants that are either operational or under construction/late-stage development, spread across 14 countries, are provided. There are currently 6 operational commercial plants, all based on fast pyrolysis technology. The growing interest in Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is illustrated by the presence of 6 demonstration plants in the report and the start of the first commercial plant, expected in 2023. While most of the liquid products from the precursor plants were produced for heating applications, more and more processes include an upgrading of the liquid product into transportation fuels or chemicals.

The information presented shows that DTL technologies have matured to become a key vehicle for bioenergy commercialisation. Increasing number of pilots have succeeded bridging the technology valley of death by advancing the technology readiness level beyond TRL6 at reasonable costs to demonstrate scalability and financial viability. Commercial-scale DTL plants require significant investments that are financed through mechanisms such as equity, debt financing, shareholding and government grants. Favourable policy initiatives will further increase the number of commercial DTL plants, contributing to increasing bioenergy production.

Lead authors: François-Xavier Collard, Suren Wijeyekoon and Paul Bennett (Scion, New Zealand)

A database of DTL activities that includes pilot-scale operations is also available on Task 34 website

Info sheets included in the report:

Commercial Direct Thermochemical Liquefaction Plants:

Demonstration Direct Thermochemical Liquefaction Plants: