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Study commissioned on the raw material requirements of critical minerals and metals for greenhouse gas-neutral aviation
A kick-off event at the PtX Lab Lausitz on November 24, 2023 marked the start of work on a new study on the raw material requirements of critical minerals and metals for greenhouse gas neutral jet fuels. DECHEMA and the PtX Lab Lausitz will use this study to determine the role of power-to-liquid (PtL) paraffin from a resource perspective in the greenhouse gas neutrality of the European aviation sector by September 2024.
DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. is responsible for the practical implementation of the study on behalf of the PtX Lab Lausitz. This partner was able to prevail in the previous tendering process.
Copyright: PtX Lab Lausitz, C. Heldt
Under the title "Resource requirements and availability for GHG-neutral aviation", DECHEMA is looking for answers to key questions on the production of greenhouse gas neutral jet fuels: Are the necessary metals and non-metallic minerals sufficiently available for their production? How great is the demand for these raw materials to supply aviation? What can be done in the event of resource bottlenecks? And which scenarios are best suited to determine the critical raw materials for the sustainable production of synthetic jet fuels?
The study will run for ten months. Based on an analysis of the required metals and minerals, DECHEMA is evaluating various technology routes for the production of synthetic jet fuels and developing scenarios for future raw material requirements. The aim is to identify resource shortages and, based on this, to discuss technological and political ways of ensuring the supply of the necessary raw materials in the future. The results for PtL products and PtL pilot plants will be relevant beyond the aviation sector. The PtX Lab Lausitz aims to implement the highest possible sustainability standards for the production of synthetic fuels for aviation in its planned PtL pilot plant. The results of the study will also be incorporated into the planning and construction of the Lausitz plant.
About DECHEMA
DECHEMA is the expert network for chemical engineering and biotechnology in Germany. As a non-profit professional society we represent these fields in science, industry, politics and the general public. DECHEMA promotes scientific and technical exchange among experts from different disciplines, organisations and generations. We consolidate the know-how of over 5,500 individual and sustaining members.
About PtX Lab Lausitz
The PtX Lab Lausitz aims to promote the market ramp-up of sustainably generated Power-to-X products. Among other things, it is developing strategies for climate-friendly aviation. To this end, the PtX Lab Lausitz is driving forward the construction and operation of a PtL pilot plant in Lusatia. It will be used to produce synthetic fuels for aviation. The Cottbus think-and-do tank acts as a knowledge platform, source of inspiration and point of contact for industry, politics and science in Lusatia, Germany and worldwide.
