Wildfire Energy and Mitsui Kinzoku Partner to Produce Low-Cost Bio-Methanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
BRISBANE, Australia and TOKYO, Japan — 9th September 2026 — Wildfire Energy and Mitsui Kinzoku Company (MKC) (TSE:5706) have entered into a collaboration to jointly pursue a demonstration project to produce low-cost bio-methanol from biomass and waste, with the aim of expanding into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in the future.
The demonstration project will be supported by 3.15 million AUD in funding under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Funding Initiative announced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on July 6th 2026, together with financial support from Mitsui Kinzoku. Under the agreement, the two companies aim to establish a cost-effective, modular process for converting biomass and waste into biofuels by combining the following two technologies:
Wildfire Energy's MIHG technology: The Moving Injection Horizontal Gasification (MIHG) process converts biomass and residual wastes, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), into high-quality syngas without the need for pre-treatment or sorting.
Mitsui Kinzoku's methanol synthesis technology: The technology is based on a membrane reactor that combines a porous ceramic separation membrane with a catalyst for methanol synthesis. The system achieves a high methanol yield in a single pass, eliminating the need for the recirculation of unreacted gas required in conventional designs. This technology is the result of joint development between MKC and eSep Inc. (headquartered in Kyoto, Japan).
The project is scheduled to run from 2026 through the end of 2028 and will consist of 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.
Other partners in the project include GHD which will undertake the feasibility study and bp, as the landholder, will provide input on the site location and layout.
"Mitsui Kinzoku is advancing the development of technologies that support resource circulation and decarbonization while maintaining economic viability. Through our collaboration with Wildfire Energy, which possesses innovative gasification technology, we will efficiently produce methanol from waste-derived syngas and accelerate validation toward commercial deployment, including the future supply of SAF.", said Kiyotaka Yasuda, Senior Executive Officer and Senior General Manager of Business Creation Sector for MKC.
"This collaboration with MKC represents a significant step toward decarbonising the aviation and maritime sectors," said Greg Perkins, CEO of Wildfire Energy. "By proving that waste-to-biofuel can be deployed at a smaller, modular scale, we are opening new avenues for regional energy independence and sustainable waste management."
Ends.
For inquiries contact:
Greg Perkins, CEO and Managing Director, Wildfire Energy
+61 488 150 695
About Wildfire Energy
Wildfire Energy is an Australian clean energy tech company focused on converting waste into renewable energy, hydrogen and biofuels. Its MIHG technology provides a low-cost, decentralised solution for global waste challenges.
About Mitsui Kinzoku Company
Mitsui Kinzoku Company is a global leader in non-ferrous metals and advanced materials. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE:5706), MKC is committed to developing innovative materials and technologies that support a circular economy.
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