Singapore, London | February 10, 2026 – In a move set to redefine the boundaries of internal combustion technology, Petredec, a global heavyweight in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, has signed a strategic partnership with UK-based startup Carnot Engines. The collaboration aims to fast-track the commercialization of a next-generation engine capable of achieving a staggering 70% brake thermal efficiency, effectively doubling the performance of traditional marine and industrial engines.
The deal, announced on 10 February, involves Petredec taking an equity stake in Carnot Engines and specifically funding the Research and Development (R&D) for an LPG-optimized variant of the technology.
A Paradigm Shift in Engine Architecture
At the heart of the partnership is Carnot Engines’ proprietary “fuel-agnostic” architecture. While conventional combustion engines typically operate at 30-35% efficiency, wasting the majority of energy as heat, Carnot’s design utilizes:
- Opposed-Piston Design: A mechanical arrangement that eliminates the cylinder head, reducing surface-to-volume ratio and heat loss.
- Advanced High-Temperature Materials: The use of specialized materials (including ceramics) allows the engine to operate without traditional cooling systems. By eliminating active cooling, the engine preserves thermal energy that is usually dissipated, converting it instead into mechanical work.
- 70% Thermal Efficiency: Under targeted operating conditions, the engine aims for efficiencies exceeding 70%, which would theoretically halve fuel consumption and carbon emissions for any given fuel.
Unrivaled Fuel Flexibility
One of the partnership’s primary objectives is to address the “fuel of the future” uncertainty facing the maritime and power sectors. The Carnot engine is designed to be completely multi-fuel capable, allowing operators to switch seamlessly between:
- Gaseous & Future Fuels: LPG, Hydrogen, Ammonia, and LNG.
- Bio-derived Fuels: Biofuels, Biogas, and Methanol.
- Conventional Fuels: Diesel and HVO.
This flexibility provides shipowners and industrial power users with a “future-proof” asset that can adapt as global supply chains for green ammonia or hydrogen mature.
The Path to Practical Sustainability
“This partnership reflects our conviction that sustainability must be delivered through practical, implementable solutions,” stated Philip Harwood, Petredec Fleet Director and newly appointed Carnot Board Member. “We are focused on achievable pathways. Combining LPG, a cleaner-burning, readily available fuel, with Carnot’s highly efficient engines creates an optimal synergy to deliver cleaner power at lower cost.“
Archie Watts-Farmer, CEO of Carnot Engines, emphasized the strategic importance of Petredec’s industry footprint “Petredec offers a unique and perfect fit with our strategy. Their deep expertise across the whole value chain provides the perfect knowledge to optimize our engines for LPG fuel, which we believe will provide a key role in the decarbonizing pathway for many industries.”
Roadmap to Deployment: 2026 Milestones
The partnership has set an aggressive timeline for moving the technology from the lab to the field:
| Milestone | Target Date |
| Durability Testing | Commencement scheduled for Q2 2026 |
| Commercial Demonstrators | Initial units anticipated in H2 2026 |
| LPG Variant R&D | Ongoing, funded by Petredec’s strategic investment |
A High-Caliber Coalition
Petredec joins an elite roster of shareholders backing Carnot Engines, including Oxford University Innovation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Carisbrooke Shipping. The startup’s engineering team features specialists drawn from aerospace, elite motorsports (Formula 1), and quantum physics.
About the Partners
About Petredec
Petredec is a global leader in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector, specializing in the integrated supply, shipping, and distribution of clean energy. Established in 1980, the company operates one of the world’s largest and youngest fleets of Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs).
Beyond shipping, Petredec manages extensive downstream infrastructure, including high-capacity terminals and distribution networks across Africa and India. Headquartered in Singapore, Petredec leverages its global logistics expertise to drive the transition toward lower-carbon energy solutions across the maritime and industrial sectors.
About Carnot Engines
Carnot Engines is a UK-based engineering pioneer developing next-generation power technology designed to drastically reduce costs and emissions for heavy-duty applications. By utilizing a novel engine architecture and advanced high-temperature materials, Carnot eliminates traditional thermal waste, targeting over 70% brake thermal efficiency, nearly double that of conventional combustion engines. Their fuel-agnostic technology is capable of running on hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and LPG, providing a high-efficiency, multi-fuel pathway to decarbonizing global transport, shipping, and off-grid power.
Source: Petredec | Carnot Engines