Our Products are the Beginning of the Post-Fossil Age: Tim Boeltken, Founder & MD of INERATEC GmbH

INERATEC GmbH is a pioneer in the field of Power-to-Liquid applications. It supplies sustainable e-fuels as well as chemical products. Founded in 2016, the company has already implemented industrial-scale power-to-liquid plants at German sites to boost the availability of sustainable fuels and chemicals in various transportation sectors, such as aviation. 

SME Business Review reached out to Tim Boeltken, founder and Managing Director of INERATEC GmbH, to discuss the company’s innovative approach to sustainable energy and its role in the global decarbonization efforts. Here’s what Mr. Boeltken had to say.

Interview Excerpts

Could you start by explaining INERATEC's core technology and how it contributes to sustainable energy?

Our core technology is focused on the efficient conversion of CO2 and renewable hydrogen into high-value synthetic fuels and chemicals. We’ve developed a compact, modular, and scalable reactor system that uses CO2 as a raw material. By combining it with renewable hydrogen through a process known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, we create synthetic fuels that are carbon-neutral. This technology offers a unique opportunity to reduce emissions and provide clean alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, especially for industries that are difficult to electrify, like aviation and shipping.

What makes your technology stand out from other sustainable energy solutions on the market today?

What sets our technology apart is its modularity and flexibility. We’ve designed our reactors to be compact and scalable, which means we can tailor the system to meet the needs of different industries and facilities. This flexibility allows our technology to be deployed at a wide range of scales—from small-scale operations to large industrial sites. Additionally, our system produces synthetic fuels that are chemically identical to fossil fuels, so industries can continue using their existing infrastructure while benefiting from cleaner energy.

Could you explain the role of CO2 in your system and how it contributes to decarbonizing the energy industry?

CO2 plays a critical role in our technology. It’s the key raw material in our process. Instead of allowing CO2 to remain in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, we capture it and use it to produce synthetic fuels. By doing so, we not only reduce the CO2 in circulation but also create high-value hydrocarbons that can be used as clean alternatives to fossil fuels. Essentially, we turn a harmful greenhouse gas into something beneficial, which is at the core of our approach to decarbonization.

Your technology relies on hydrogen. How important is hydrogen in the broader energy transition?

Hydrogen is essential in the global energy transition, particularly for sectors that are hard to electrify, such as heavy industry and transportation. It has immense potential as a clean energy source. Our process uses renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which is then combined with CO2 to make synthetic fuels. This makes hydrogen a key building block in our technology. By advancing efficient hydrogen production methods, we help move the hydrogen economy forward, supporting the broader shift to cleaner energy.

Why is the modularity of your technology so important in the transition to sustainable energy?

The modularity of our technology allows it to be customized for different industries and locations. It also makes our system highly scalable, so it can be installed in a range of settings, from small facilities to large industrial plants. This flexibility is crucial because it enables businesses of all sizes to adopt cleaner energy solutions without the need for major infrastructure changes. The scalability also ensures that the transition to sustainable energy can happen incrementally, making it more feasible and cost-effective for industries to reduce their carbon footprints.

What industries do you see benefiting most from INERATEC’s technology?

INERATEC’s technology can have a significant impact on industries like aviation, shipping, and other sectors that rely on high-energy-density fuels. These industries have historically been difficult to decarbonize because they require fuels that are dense in energy and cannot easily switch to electricity. Our synthetic fuels can be used in existing infrastructure, making it easier for these industries to adopt cleaner alternatives. Beyond transportation, we also see applications in heavy industries like steel and chemicals, which also rely on fossil fuels for high-temperature processes.

How do you envision INERATEC contributing to the circular economy?

INERATEC contributes to the circular economy by turning CO2, a waste product, into a valuable resource—synthetic fuels. By using CO2 as a raw material, we help close the carbon loop and reduce emissions. This approach supports the broader goal of reducing waste and making better use of resources. Our technology allows industries to keep using their existing infrastructure while benefiting from renewable fuels, which helps reduce the overall environmental impact.

What role does INERATEC play in the fight against climate change, and how does it align with global decarbonization goals?

Our technology directly contributes to the fight against climate change by providing industries with a way to reduce their carbon emissions without overhauling their entire infrastructure. By enabling the production of synthetic fuels that are carbon-neutral, we help decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors and move closer to achieving global decarbonization goals. Our work complements broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerates the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

What’s next for INERATEC? How do you plan to continue advancing your technology?

We’re always refining our technology to make it more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective. Our goal is to continually improve the performance of our systems while reducing the cost of production. In the near future, we’re focused on scaling up our operations and expanding into new markets. We’re also actively collaborating with partners in various industries to help accelerate the adoption of our technology and contribute to the global energy transition. Our long-term vision is to make synthetic fuels a mainstream solution for reducing carbon emissions across industries worldwide.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work at INERATEC?

The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that INERATEC is contributing to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges—reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to sustainable energy. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the impact our technology can have on industries that need a solution to decarbonize. There’s a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing that we are playing a part in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for the planet.

What message would you like to convey to others in the energy industry who are considering transitioning to more sustainable practices?

I would encourage them to embrace the transition to sustainable practices and see it as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The energy industry is evolving, and there are more solutions than ever to help reduce emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. The transition may require some initial investment and adaptation, but in the long run, it will be worth it. Sustainability is no longer a choice; it’s becoming a necessity, and we’re here to help make that transition smoother and more feasible for industries around the world.

Tim Boeltken, Founder and Managing Director, INERATEC GmbH

Since our launch in 2016, we’ve accomplished a lot in our quest to replace crude oil and create a carbon-neutral climate. Our successes and the recognition we’ve received for them give us hope, while the urgency of climate change drives us forward every day.