Mitsui Kinzoku (President: Shoji Ikenobu) hereby announces that it has reached an agreement with Wildfire Energy, an Australian clean energy technology development company, to jointly advance a demonstration project aimed at producing low-cost bio-methanol from biomass and waste feedstocks, with a view to future application in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The project will be implemented with a grant of AUD 3.15 million, announced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on July 6, 2026 in its release titled “
Sustainable aviation fuel takes off at Brisbane Airport”, together with funding support from Mitsui Kinzoku. By combining Wildfire Energy’s MIHG technology with Mitsui Kinzoku’s methanol synthesis technology, the project aims to establish a modular process for converting biomass and waste into low-cost biofuels.
The project will run from 2026 through 2028 and include the following two activities:
<Pilot Demonstration>
Mitsui Kinzoku’s methanol synthesis unit will be integrated into the pilot plant at Wildfire Energy’s Brisbane facility to conduct demonstration testing for the production of bio-methanol from a diverse range of feedstocks.
<Feasibility Study>
The study will examine the economic viability and environmental compatibility of a process that treats more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year and produces bio-methanol at sites in Queensland. It will also include an assessment of upgrading bio-methanol into SAF.
Guided by its corporate purpose, “We promote the well-being of the world through a spirit of exploration and diverse technologies,” Mitsui Kinzoku will continue to pursue its 2030 Vision of becoming a company that creates new businesses through the intelligent use of materials, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
Please check the below PDF file for details.
Mitsui Kinzoku Reaches Agreement with Wildfire Energy to Jointly Develop Low-Cost Bio-methanol Production Process