Low carbon fuel innovator XFuel secures €4.1 million grant  

XFuel has been awarded a €4.1 million grant from Catalonia’s Nuclear Transition Fund, managed by Catalan regional agency Acció.

The funding will support the development of a new fuel production facility in Catalonia, contributing directly to the economic regeneration of communities facing the future closure of the Ascó and Vandellós nuclear power plants.

XFuel’s investment in the Catalan region will include the construction of a modular fuel production plant capable of processing 16,000 tonnes of marine waste oils into 14,000 tonnes of low-carbon marine gas oil.

By using waste-based feedstocks, the project significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the fuel produced, helping to lower emissions in the maritime industry.

The grant - the second largest awarded under the programme, receiving the highest score among grant applicants - was secured in competition with significantly larger, established companies, marking strong recognition of XFuel’s technology and commercial credibility.

At the core of XFuel’s project is its proprietary Chemical Liquid Refining (CLR – CLEAR) technology, an innovative, single-step process that converts waste hydrocarbon liquids into ultra-clean, drop-in transport fuels suited for the shipping sector and other hard-to-abate industries.

Nicholas Ball, CEO and co-founder XFuel, said: “This grant is a powerful endorsement of both our technology and our commitment to this region. Competing against much larger players and securing the second-largest award validates what we have been building.

“The Catalonia facility will be a flagship demonstration of what drop-in, waste-derived low-carbon fuels can deliver solutions that are commercially viable, infrastructure-compatible, and urgently needed by the maritime sector.”