OWI SCIENCE FOR FUELS GMBH

Their core work

OWI Science for Fuels is a German research centre based near Aachen specializing in alternative liquid fuels derived from biomass and other renewable feedstocks. Their core work spans the entire fuel development chain — from converting biomass into pyrolysis oils and bio-intermediates to formulating drop-in fuels suitable for heating, road transport, marine shipping, and combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems. They provide applied R&D, fuel testing, and process optimization services that help bring renewable fuel concepts from the lab closer to commercial use.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

OWI's earliest H2020 work (2016-2018) centred on converting biomass residues into heating fuels and general-purpose next-generation renewable fuels for road transport. From 2019 onward, their focus diversified into more specialized applications — small-scale CHP systems using biomass intermediates, lignin-specific chemistry, and marine fuel formulations. The trajectory shows a clear move from broad biomass-to-fuel research toward sector-specific fuel solutions (marine, distributed energy) using more advanced feedstocks like lignin.

OWI is moving toward harder-to-decarbonize sectors (marine shipping, distributed CHP) and more complex feedstocks (lignin), positioning them for the next wave of EU renewable fuel mandates.

How they like to work

OWI participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator, which suggests they contribute specialized fuel science and testing capabilities rather than managing large consortia. With 35 unique partners across 12 countries in just 4 projects, they operate in medium-to-large European consortia and connect broadly rather than working with a fixed set of repeat partners. This makes them an accessible, experienced consortium member who integrates well into diverse teams.

OWI has collaborated with 35 distinct partners across 12 European countries through their four RIA projects, giving them a well-distributed network across the EU bioenergy research community. Their Aachen location places them at the heart of the German-Dutch-Belgian research triangle.

What sets them apart

OWI occupies a rare niche: an independent research centre focused entirely on the applied science of renewable liquid fuels, not on feedstock production or end-use engine design. This makes them a natural bridge between biomass conversion researchers and fuel-consuming industries (heating, transport, marine). For consortium builders, they bring practical fuel formulation and testing expertise that most university labs or large energy companies cannot offer with the same focus.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Residue2Heat
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.25M) and OWI's entry into H2020, focused on bringing pyrolysis bio-oil into residential heating — a market-ready application.
• IDEALFUEL
  Most recent project targeting marine fuels from lignin — a high-impact, hard-to-decarbonize sector attracting strong EU policy attention.
• REDIFUEL
  Addresses the critical challenge of producing drop-in renewable fuels compatible with existing road transport infrastructure, avoiding costly engine modifications.