Enabling biomass-to-liquids through technology collaboration

Combining biomass-to-liquids (BTL) and power-to-liquids (PTL) technologies offers a strategic route to producing sustainable aviation fuel using abundant feedstocks – woody biomass and renewable (green) hydrogen. But despite the potential, many projects face challenges around feedstock integration, technology credibility and scalability. Shell Catalysts & Technologies and Yilkins have joined forces to overcome these barriers.

By integrating Shell’s deep expertise in gasification and Fischer–Tropsch technologies with Yilkins’ advanced drying and torrefaction systems, this hybrid BTL/PTL pathway can deliver more fuel per tonne of renewable (green) hydrogen than standalone PTL – helping to reduce electrolyser size and cost while supporting scalable deployment.

Shell selected Yilkins’ technology for its high thermal efficiency and ability to provide a simplified pre-conversion step compared with alternative torrefaction systems.

Compared with other dry torrefaction technologies evaluated by Shell, Yilkins’ technology retains more of the carbon and hydrogen in the biomass – preserving the molecules needed for SAF production and supporting efficient fuel conversion per tonne of input.

In this webinar, we will:

introduce the Shell XTL Process and Yilkins’ torrefaction system;
explain the business case for a hybrid BTL/PTL route; and
explore how Yilkins helps preserve valuable carbon and hydrogen to maximise fuel production.

Register now to discover the hybrid BTL/PTL opportunity.

Date: Thursday March 26, 2026

Time: 9:00 CST (UTC -5) / 16:00 CET (UTC +1)

Chippla Vandu

Senior Engineer, Shell Catalysts & Technologies

Patrick Bergman

CTO, Yilkins

Amin El Aissami

Market Strategy & Product Manager, Shell Catalysts & Technologies