Victoria, Australia | August 2025 – In a pivotal development for Australia’s emerging low-carbon fuel industry, HAMR Energy has successfully completed the Pre-FEED (Preliminary Front-End Engineering Design) phase for its flagship Portland Renewable Fuels Project, in partnership with global chemical engineering leader thyssenkrupp Uhde.
This milestone positions the project — located in regional Victoria — as a critical asset in the global transition to sustainable maritime fuels and aviation fuels. Once operational, the Portland Renewable Fuels Project will produce 300,000 tonnes of low-carbon methanol annually by converting locally sourced forestry residues and green hydrogen into a clean, scalable fuel alternative.
Decarbonising Hard-to-Abate Sectors with Low-Carbon Methanol
Methanol is rapidly gaining traction as a bunker fuel and jet fuel solution due to its drop-in compatibility, low emissions profile, and established infrastructure. As the shipping and aviation industries pursue net-zero targets, green methanol stands out as a ready-now fuel that addresses both technical feasibility and environmental responsibility.
“This milestone reflects both our ambition and our strategy: to work with global technology leaders to deliver Australia’s next generation of clean fuels. Completing the Pre-FEED phase marks an important step for a transformative project for our country’s energy future.” said Richard Owen, Director and Chair, HAMR Energy
HAMR Energy’s partnership with thyssenkrupp Uhde underscores the project’s technological credibility. With over a century of global experience in chemical plant engineering, thyssenkrupp Uhde brings industry-leading expertise in gasification, methanol synthesis, and emissions reduction technologies.
Global Expertise Meets Local Impact
Following the completion of Pre-FEED, thyssenkrupp Uhde’s Australian division will continue providing engineering support and project execution services. The company will also supply its cutting-edge biomass-to-methanol technology, ensuring the plant operates at world-class efficiency and environmental standards.
“We are proud to support HAMR Energy in shaping the future of renewable fuels in Australia. Our proven capabilities in process engineering, technology integration and project execution are the cornerstones of this collaboration.” said Nadja Håkansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde
Economic and Strategic Benefits for Regional Victoria
The Portland Renewable Fuels Project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of long-term operational roles, boosting the local economy and reinforcing regional Australia’s role in the clean energy transition. The project has already secured Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with forestry residue suppliers, ensuring a stable and sustainable feedstock supply chain.
In alignment with both state and federal energy strategies, the project strengthens national fuel security and accelerates Australia’s ambition to become a global leader in low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF).
“We are looking forward to working with project partners, government and the community to advance Portland Renewable Fuels, which can play a pivotal role in Australia becoming a global player in the LCLF industry.” said Richard Owen, Director and Chair, HAMR Energy
Momentum Builds with Series A Funding and FEED Preparation
HAMR Energy is now finalising its $10 million Series A funding round, attracting significant interest from both strategic investors and private capital. With the Pre-FEED now complete, the company is preparing to finalise permitting and initiate the final FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) phase — the next step towards a final investment decision and project delivery.
About thyssenkrupp Uhde
thyssenkrupp Uhde is a global leader in chemical plant engineering, procurement, and construction. With over 100 years of technological innovation, thyssenkrupp Uhde offers leading solutions in methanol synthesis, gasification, and green hydrogen value chains, enabling the chemical industry’s transition to a more sustainable future.
About HAMR Energy
HAMR Energy is an Australian low-carbon fuels company focused on accelerating the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation. With deep experience in complex energy infrastructure and strategic project delivery, HAMR is targeting the development of over 1 million tonnes of low-carbon fuel capacity by 2030.
Source HAMR Energy