Haltermann Carless and INERATEC reportedly announced on September 29, 2026 a letter of intent (LoI) for strategic cooperation on the ERA T.H2 project in Normandy, France. Under it, Haltermann Carless is said to plan to purchase significant annual quantities of bio e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and bio e-naphtha for a minimum of ten years after plant commissioning. The project is described as Europe’s first commercial Power-and-Biomass-to-Liquids (PBtL) facility.
ERA T.H2 is understood to gasify regionally sourced woody residues and convert the syngas into synthetic fuels and renewable hydrocarbons using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. INERATEC’s FT technology is reported to convert biomass-derived syngas into synthetic fuels and chemical feedstocks.
The core of the LoI is the purchase commitment: Haltermann Carless would take significant volumes of bio e-SAF and bio e-naphtha each year for at least ten years after commissioning. Haltermann Carless reportedly said e-fuels have an important role in motorsport, aviation and other applications where high energy density remains essential. INERATEC CEO Tim Böltken is said to have noted that demand for sustainable e-fuels and renewable hydrocarbons is growing.
The plant is planned to process about 60,000 tonnes of residual woody biomass per year and produce at least 13,000 tonnes of FT products annually. Commissioning is scheduled for 2029 and full operation for 2031, according to the reports. The offtake term is at least ten years after commissioning. The investment amount has reportedly not been disclosed.
INERATEC previously established the T.H2 joint venture with TERTU in March 2026 to build a synthetic fuel plant in Normandy, and this LoI appears to be a step toward securing a long-term buyer for the output.
First, a ten-year-plus offtake intention can strengthen the demand base that new e-fuel plants need to move toward financing and a Final Investment Decision (FID). Second, the PBtL approach, combining power and biomass feedstocks, is presented as a configuration that can raise product yield compared with biomass-only routes, and renewable power and residue supply conditions may affect project viability. Third, because the offtake covers e-naphtha as well as SAF, the case links fuel and petrochemical feedstock markets. Fourth, a technology supplier with modular FT reactor technology taking part directly in a project illustrates one route to technology commercialization.
First, whether the LoI converts into a binding long-term offtake agreement should be confirmed. Second, the timing of the project’s FID and any disclosure of investment size warrant attention. Third, whether the 2029 commissioning schedule is maintained is worth watching. Fourth, how the woody residue supply chain and renewable power sourcing are firmed up remains to be seen. Fifth, additional offtake agreements with other buyers should be checked.