March 18, 2026 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- FatHopes Energy (FHE), in collaboration with Bin Zayed International (BZI) Group, has appointed Technip Energies – through its consulting subsidiary Genesis – and Wison Engineering Ltd to conduct independent technical feasibility studies for its proposed sustainable aviation fuel refinery in Malaysia.

The appointments mark a pivotal step in the development of one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious renewable fuel projects, as the aviation industry intensifies its push toward net-zero carbon emissions.

Both firms were selected following a rigorous request for proposal process launched in Q3 2025, which drew submissions from leading engineering companies across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. The evaluation concluded in November 2025. Upon completion of the studies, expected by Q2 2026, one firm will be selected to proceed with the front-end engineering design phase, ultimately supporting the project’s final investment decision.

The refinery will use the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) production pathway, a proven route for converting sustainable feedstocks into aviation fuel. FatHopes Energy’s feedstock strategy centres on used cooking oil and palm oil mill effluent oil, with plans to expand into spent bleaching earth oil, empty fruit bunch oil, and potentially algae oil in collaboration with a major Malaysian carbon emitter.

The project’s lifecycle assessments indicate carbon intensity reductions that exceed CORSIA benchmarks — the international standard for aviation carbon offsetting — underscoring its potential significance to global decarbonisation efforts.

“Bringing in world-class engineering partners is an essential milestone in the development of this project,” said Vinesh Sinha, Founder and CEO of FatHopes Energy. “It reflects our commitment to building a refinery that meets the highest global standards while supporting the aviation industry’s transition toward sustainable fuels.”

Strategically located near Port Klang along the Straits of Malacca, the facility is positioned to serve international SAF supply chains and reinforce Malaysia’s ambitions as a regional hub for sustainable fuel production.