European Commission Workshop Explores the Way Forward for Advanced Biofuels and RFNBOs
Europe has a strong innovation capacity in advanced biofuels and Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), but technologies still need support to reach the market faster and at scale. This was the central message emerging from the European Commission workshop “Advanced Biofuels and RFNBOs – The Way Forward”, organised by DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD) on 5 May 2026 in Brussels.
The event brought together around 150 participants from the European Commission, Member States, industry, finance and the research community to discuss how Europe can accelerate the deployment of advanced biofuels and other renewable fuel technologies and turn innovations into real market solutions. The workshop also presented the results of two recent DG RTD studies supporting the implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and the broader objectives of the European Green Deal, Fit for 55 and the Clean Industrial Deal.
Advanced biofuels and RFNBOs are highly sustainable renewable fuels produced from sustainable biomass feedstocks, wastes and residues, as well as renewable hydrogen. As highlighted during the workshop, these fuels do not compete with food and feed production, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and are indispensable for decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, maritime transport and parts of heavy-duty road transport.
The discussions confirmed that advanced biofuels and RFNBOs are supported by a comprehensive European policy framework, including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), ReFuelEU Aviation, FuelEU Maritime, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Net-Zero Industry Act. At the same time, participants stressed that policy certainty, accelerated permitting procedures and targeted financial instruments remain essential to unlock investments and support industrial deployment.
A key focus of the workshop was the presentation of two European Commission studies assessing the outlook and mobilisation of industrial capacity for advanced biofuels and renewable fuels. Their findings indicate that demand for biofuels in transport could increase by up to 2.5 times by 2030 compared with 2021 levels in order to meet EU climate targets. Industry has already signalled a strong willingness to invest, while sustainable biomass resources available within Europe are considered sufficient to support a substantial expansion of domestic production capacity.
The studies also underline that no single technology pathway can deliver the volumes required to achieve the EU’s climate and energy objectives. Instead, a broad portfolio of complementary solutions will be needed, combining different feedstocks, conversion technologies and end-use applications. Speakers repeatedly highlighted the importance of mobilising sustainable biomass resources, expanding biomethane production, scaling up sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and supporting emerging pathways such as gasification-based fuels and RFNBOs.
Financing emerged as another critical theme. According to the analyses presented, the scale-up of industrial value chains will require coordinated public and private investment, together with de-risking mechanisms, feedstock mobilisation measures, production support schemes and improved market conditions. Representatives from European institutions, industry and financial organisations agreed that Europe already possesses the technological know-how and industrial expertise needed to lead globally, but that investment frameworks must evolve to support commercial deployment at scale.
The workshop concluded with a clear message: advanced biofuels and RFNBOs are not only essential for achieving climate neutrality, but also for strengthening European competitiveness, energy security and industrial resilience. Europe already has the knowledge, technologies and industrial actors needed to move forward. The challenge now is to mobilise all actors across the value chain in a coordinated manner, create the right conditions for investment, and accelerate the transition from innovation to large-scale market deployment.
Further information:
The full workshop report, Workshop on Advanced Biofuels and RFNBOs – The Way Forward, is available via the Publications Office of the European Union: