Rheinmetall, INERATEC to Supply Synthetic Fuel for Defense Applications

Rheinmetall and INERATEC have signed a strategic agreement to deliver scalable synthetic fuel solutions for defense and critical infrastructure, marking a shift toward more resilient and independent energy systems in Europe.

The partnership centers on deploying Power-to-Liquid (PtL) technology — a process that converts renewable electricity into liquid fuels — to replace traditional fossil fuels. The initiative aims to support defense operations and critical facilities such as hospitals with secure, carbon-neutral fuel supply chains, even in times of crisis.

As global fuel logistics face increasing risk due to geopolitical instability, synthetic fuels offer an alternative that is not only cleaner but also more adaptable. Fuel remains a vital resource in defense, with military operations consuming between 20 and 60 liters per soldier per day. In modern warfare, uninterrupted energy access is a strategic necessity.

Rheinmetall's Giga PtX concept will serve as the backbone of this fuel transformation. It enables redundant, modular production of synthetic e-Fuels that match the energy density and performance of conventional fuels, making them compatible with current defense vehicle fleets without technical modifications.

The agreement highlights the role of synthetic fuels in enabling climate-friendly defense operations and providing operational independence during emergencies. By integrating INERATEC’s PtL systems into existing fuel logistics, defense forces can decarbonize their operations without overhauling current technologies.

INERATEC, based in Karlsruhe, Germany, recently opened Europe’s largest e-Fuels plant in Frankfurt, capable of producing 2,500 tonnes of synthetic aviation fuel annually. The company specializes in carbon-neutral fuel substitutes using CO₂ and renewable hydrogen.

Rheinmetall, a global defense supplier headquartered in Düsseldorf, reported €9.8 billion in sales in 2024 and employs over 31,000 people. The company sees this fuel partnership as a step toward greater energy independence in times of conflict and crisis.