Europe can ensure the reliable operation of its critical infrastructure and armed forces only through a stable and independent fuel supply — both in times of peace and times of crisis. With the “Giga PtX” project, Rheinmetall is proposing the independent production of synthetic fuels (e-fuels) by European armies. The company relies on a strong alliance of German industrial giants and cleantech companies, including INERATEC, Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, and the Dresden-based electrolysis specialist Sunfire.
Birgit Görtler, Vice President Sales Hydrogen at Rheinmetall, underlines: “With the right partners at hand, we are prepared to start immediately, building long-term fuel resilience in Germany and throughout Europe.”
Electrolysis Technology as Cornerstone for Project Plans
Electrolysis technology is crucial for the production of green hydrogen. In combination with syngas and carbon, it enables the production of e-fuels such as diesel, marine diesel or kerosene.
In the “Giga PtX” project proposal, Sunfire’s pressurized alkaline electrolyzers are set to be an indispensable component of the production plant, to reliably supply green hydrogen. With Sunfire, Rheinmetall is partnering with a leading electrolysis company with a proven track record in implementing large-scale hydrogen projects.
In addition, the German electrolysis specialist is a leader in highly efficient SOEC technology, which is ideally suited for e-fuel applications. By utilizing steam (or waste heat), this technology achieves significantly higher conversion efficiency1. With the same electricity input, the technology enables higher hydrogen output and lower production costs.
Project Proposal “Giga PtX” to Strengthen European Independence
The “Giga PtX” project aims to establish a Europe-wide network with several hundred decentralized production plants to produce CO₂-neutral synthetic fuels. Each plant is expected to produce 5,000 to 7,000 tons of diesel, marine diesel or kerosene annually.
As soon as fuels can be produced locally, dependence on long and fragile supply chains of fossil fuels will be eliminated. This strengthens independence and makes energy supply and mobility more resilient – not only for defense, but also for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, transport and logistics systems.
Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, highlights the strategic importance of electrolysis technology: “Green hydrogen, as a local and renewable energy source, empowers Europe to act independently. This ‘security dividend’ has so far been neglected – and that’s where our Giga PtX partnership comes into play. European electrolysis technology thus not only drives decarbonization, but also makes an indispensable contribution to a strong and resilient Europe.”
