MHI Advances Net-Zero Aviation with Successful Integrated Synthetic Fuel

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has achieved a significant technical breakthrough in the production of carbon-neutral liquid fuels.

In a recent demonstration at their Nagasaki Research & Innovation Centre, MHI successfully validated an integrated production system that synthesises liquid fuels from carbon dioxide (CO₂), water, and renewable electricity.

The Technology: SOEC Co-Electrolysis & FT Synthesis

The core of this achievement lies in the use of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) for co-electrolysis. Unlike traditional methods, this process electrolyses water vapour and CO₂ simultaneously to produce “syngas” (hydrogen and carbon monoxide).

By utilising their proprietary tubular SOEC cell stack, MHI aims to:

• Simplify the production chain: Reduce the number of steps required to create feedstock.
• Improve economic efficiency: High-efficiency electrolysis lowers the cost of synthetic fuel production.
• Scale SAF production: The syngas is processed through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, resulting in components verified for use in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Meeting Global Decarbonisation Targets

With the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) targeting net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, the demand for SAF is expected to multiply. Current forecasts suggest that low-carbon fuels and carbon credits will account for over 70% of the industry’s emission reductions.

MHI’s integrated system provides a scalable solution to meet this demand, offering a pathway for carbon-neutral travel and shipping.

Beyond Aviation

While the focus remains on SAF, the versatility of SOEC technology extends to:

• Road Transport: Synthetic gasoline and diesel.
• Maritime: Methanol and alternative ship fuels.
• Energy Infrastructure: Synthetic methane for city gas.

At CO₂ Value Europe, we will continue reaching out to policymakers and stakeholders to ensure such projects can reach commercial scale. The European Aviation Strategy in Q3 2026 will be key to ensuring that the sector has sufficient access to sustainable fuel.

Read MHI’s full press release.