Innovation Zero 2026 saw many biofuel and energy companies making a name for themselves within the sustainability space, with IDTechEx having spoken to multiple players involved in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biofuel production, the decarbonization of the maritime sector, and new growth in nuclear energy. IDTechEx's portfolios of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports and Electric Vehicles Research Reports are home to the latest research into biofuels, electric boats and ships, and nuclear energy production.
SAF and biodiesel entering the commercial space
Lighthouse Fuels showcased its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology at Innovation Zero, where the company discussed with IDTechEx its hopes to be operational in 2031 as a 2nd generation SAF project, after the mandate comes into play in 2030. Lighthouse Fuels are the largest 2nd generation SAF project in the UK and Europe, using biomass like agricultural residue, sunflower, and sugar cane bagasse. It is also the only SAF project in the UK to be able to store carbon dioxide, meaning the company can effectively produce carbon negative SAF.
With the first SAF mandate having started last year, 2% of all jet fuel flying out of the UK now is required to be SAF, with this percentage due to increase every year until 2040. Many large aviation companies will be looking to achieve 100% SAF, and IDTechEx's report, "Sustainable Biofuels & E-Fuels Market 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts", covers forecasts for its uptake, alongside the main players operating within the sector.
Hy Five are another company working with e-fuels, with two e-methanol and one e-SAF project in Spain, using green hydrogen to create methanol. Despite being a relatively new company still in early stages of development, many projects are expected to respond to increasing regulations within the aviation and maritime sector, and Hy Five are an example of growing interest surrounding the decarbonization of the transport industry.
Producing biodiesel from cooking oils is the focus of companies such as Greenergy. Used cooking oils can be supplied worldwide and turned into the fuel using transesterification, a chemical process where oil reacts with a catalyst to produce the biodiesel, with byproducts of glycerine and potassium sulphate that can be used for anaerobic digestion or fertilizer respectively.
Electrification and nuclear energy
Discussing the electrification of boats and ships with IDTechEx at Innovation Zero, Marine Zero are one example of a company working across the value chain to help decarbonize the maritime sector. The company receive funding towards their goal of collecting and providing data and advising shipping companies on the best course of action to take when it comes to electrification. Marine Zero also help with providing data on where charging infrastructure could be installed for maximum efficiency.
The lack of current policies and regulations around the decarbonization of boats makes it difficult for many companies to know which route is best, as unlike aviation and the implementation of SAF, there isn't a one size fits all solution in the short term, considering the drastic size variation of ships, and the difference in time spent on the water at a time. While smaller vessels may be easier to make electric, requiring smaller batteries, larger ships could work with the grid at a port, to not only be charged up, but to give energy back. IDTechEx's report, "Electric Vehicles: Land, Sea, and Air 2025-2045", covers some of the main trends in this market.
Where the decarbonization of energy is concerned, companies like Assystem are showcasing the scope for growth in the nuclear energy sector. With France having most of its energy grid made up of nuclear sources, the UK is the second largest market, according to Assystem. The company's engineers are contracted out to work with clients and in the civil nuclear sector, while they also look into different modular reactors and work with developing technology and engineering services.
Assystem's presence throughout the entire life cycle of nuclear energy systems, from the start through to the final product, and their work with companies including EDF, Rolls Royce, Great British Energy Nuclear, TfL, and Network Rail, highlight the opportunity for real growth within this sector with interest from large corporations. Supporting acceleration to low carbon technology and infrastructure is one of Assystem's main goals, with IDTechEx's report, "Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Market 2026-2046: Technologies, Players, Benchmarking, Forecasts", providing the latest research into global market trends and developments through 20-year forecasts and a reactor design benchmarking scheme based on a database of SMR projects.
For more information on decarbonization technologies and the rise of e-fuel and energy trends, visit IDTechEx's portfolios of Energy & Decarbonization Research Reports and Electric Vehicles Research Reports for the latest research.
