Quadrise PLC (AIM:QED) earlier this week detailed a joint venture agreement with Alder Renewables aimed at advancing bioMSAR fuel technologies.
The company said Alder is a US-based biofuel technology firm supported by Honeywell, United Airlines Ventures, and Boeing. Alder's platform produces bio-crudes and pyrolysis sugars from biomass. These can be integrated into Quadrise’s bioMSAR fuels.
Quadrise executive Jason Miles joined the Proactive studio to tell us more about the collaboration.
Proactive: Joining me is Quadrise chief technology officer Jason Miles. Jason, very good to speak with you. Could you talk us through your recent announcement and the significance of Alder Renewables as a joint development partner?
Jason Miles: It's a pleasure to be back. Alder Renewables is a US-based biofuel technology company. They're backed by major companies like Honeywell, United Airlines Ventures, and Boeing.
They have a fast pyrolysis technology platform that transforms sustainable biomass into bio-crudes and sugars.
These products are suitable for both the aviation and marine sectors.
The pyrolysis sugar is water-soluble and can be used with our bioMSAR technology alongside glycerin and other biogenic sources.
The JVA we announced focuses on continuing lab work at the Quadrise Research Facility and scaling it up for engine testing and approvals, starting with small-scale Cummins tests.
Results have been promising so far, and this partnership also boosts our North American presence and opens up collaboration with universities and groups like the US EPA.
Proactive: What are the main drivers for the use of bioMSAR by existing and future clients such as in the marine sector?
Jason Miles: Our bioMSAR differs from our conventional MSAR as it includes sustainable biofuel components, which reduce the carbon intensity depending on the blend. Performance-wise, they're similar.
Our standard bioMSAR compares with B24 or B30 marine fuels, while bioMSAR zero is compatible with B100 biofuels, meaning it’s 100% biogenic.
The drivers are regulatory and voluntary.
Regulations like the EU’s Fit for 55 are already in effect, and there's pressure from major customers like IKEA and Amazon. bioMSAR offers energy cost savings and better efficiency in diesel engines, with reduced emissions, including NOx, particulates, and CO2.
Proactive: What are the concerns about biofuels in the maritime sector over the next 25 years regarding feedstock availability and price?
Jason Miles: A recent Transport and Environment study shows biofuels could make up a third of the global marine fuel mix by 2030.
Current waste-based biofuels like cooking oil and animal fats are limited in supply and may be diverted to land transport or aviation, where fuel prices are higher.
Crop-based alternatives would need around 35 million hectares of land—about the size of Germany.
That’s why we focus on waste-based biomass like cellulosic sugars, which are abundant. Around 100 billion tonnes are produced annually through photosynthesis—20 times the volume of crude oil.
These sources are cost-effective and require less infrastructure than alternatives like green ammonia or methanol.
Proactive: What’s next for the commercial use of bioMSAR and expanding the product offering?
Jason Miles: The next milestone is the commercial container vessel trial involving MSC and Cargill, expected to begin in Q3 if agreements are signed.
We're planning global deployment of modular multi-fuel manufacturing units tied to demand.
We’re also starting an RDI program to process residual glycerin and similar materials for low-cost feedstock. In collaboration with Vertoro, we plan a bioMSAR zero trial using their crude sugar oil on a motor yacht later this year.
We’ll continue work with Alder and others to advance sustainable biomass products for marine fuels.
Not every ship can switch to new dual-fuel engines, so platforms like ours are key for compliance.
Proactive: Jason, I hope you'll continue to keep us updated on your progress.