Energy
Axens selected to upgrade biofuels for Expander Energy’s Canadian projects
Axens will supply its FT Liquid Upgrading technology for Expander’s patented Enhanced Biomass to Liquids
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By ICN Bureau | September 02, 2026
Axens has been selected by Canadian sustainable-fuels developer Expander Energy Inc. to provide technology for upgrading Fischer-Tropsch liquids into drop-in, second-generation biofuels, marking a new step in the companies’ plans to scale lower-carbon aviation and diesel fuels.
Axens will supply its FT Liquid Upgrading technology for Expander’s patented Enhanced Biomass to Liquids (EBTL) and Biomass Electrolysis to Liquids (BETL) processes, which convert cellulosic feedstocks into fuels compatible with existing infrastructure.
The technology is initially slated for two commercial projects in Canada: the Wheatland Bio-Synfuels Facility near Calgary, Alberta, and the Mackenzie Biomass Derived E-Fuels Facility in northern British Columbia.
Both developments are moving through regulatory approvals and financing milestones, with final investment decisions targeted for December 2026.
The agreement goes beyond the two initial projects. Expander has also named Axens its strategic upgrading technology provider for a wider pipeline of sustainable aviation fuel and Arctic renewable diesel developments.
The partnership brings together Axens’ commercial-scale upgrading technology and Expander’s biomass-to-liquids processes as the companies seek to accelerate production of drop-in fuels from forestry and agricultural residues.
Expander describes its EBTL and BETL technologies as patented processes for producing second-generation biofuels from biomass feedstocks, while Axens provides technologies, catalysts, equipment and services across the refining, biofuels and broader energy-transition sectors.
If the Canadian projects reach FID as targeted, they would represent an important step in Expander’s plans to move its biomass-derived fuel technologies toward commercial deployment.
