CAPHENIA
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBernau Am Chiemsee, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
CAPHENIA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAPHENIA
- Legal name
- CAPHENIA GmbH
- Website
- https://caphenia.tech
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAPHENIA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Synthetic Fuel Production
- NAICS
- Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Thermal Treatment (Pyrolysis, Gasification, Plasma) for Residual Waste (EUAIACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC), C1 & Synthesis Gas Derivatives (Methanol, Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid) (IMAEADAC), Pre-combustion Capture (Syngas Shift + Physical Solvents: Selexol/Rectisol) (EUABAGAD)
Keywords
Where CAPHENIA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bernau Am Chiemsee
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
CAPHENIA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Sales: CAPHENIA generates revenue through production and sale of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to airline customers. The company operates on long-term off-take agreements, with commercial production expected to begin in 2027. The product stream produces approximately 1/3 eSAF and 2/3 BioSAF from the PBtL process.
- Technology Licensing: CAPHENIA holds worldwide patents on the Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process and may pursue licensing arrangements for its technology. The MOU with Emerging Fuels Technology includes provisions for acquiring license rights to combine syngas technology with EFT's Technology Platform for multiple projects.
- Renewable Diesel and Other Chemical Products: Beyond SAF, the synthesis gas produced can be processed into various renewable fuels and chemical products including renewable diesel for heavy-duty transport and shipping, as well as other chemical products, diversifying revenue streams.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
CAPHENIA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAPHENIA develops and operates proprietary Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) technology using a Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process that converts renewable electricity, biomethane, and CO2 into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is processed into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at a pilot plant in Frankfurt-Höchst, with commercial-scale SAF production targeted for 2027.
Product overview
CAPHENIA is a cleantech company offering renewable synthetic fuel production technology and related products. Its core product is the proprietary Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process built around the Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) — a 3-in-1 zone reactor that converts biomethane and CO₂ into synthesis gas at ~1,500°C with 100% selectivity and 86% efficiency, enabling up to 92% CO₂ reduction. The PBtL process produces a product stream split approximately one-third eSAF and two-thirds BioSAF. CAPHENIA operates the Pilot Plant Germany I at Industriepark Frankfurt-Höchst as a demonstration facility for its technology. The company also offers Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel as primary fuel products derived from its process. Strategic partnerships with Siemens (automation/digitalization), Emerging Fuels Technology (Fischer-Tropsch integration), MAN Energy Solutions (reactor manufacturing), and Condor (SAF offtake) support the commercial scaling of its technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) / PBR Syngas Reactor The core 3-in-1 zone reactor technology that converts biomethane and CO2 into high-quality synthesis gas at approximately 1,500°C using a plasma process. It achieves 100% selectivity (no by-products) and 86% energy efficiency, enabling CO2 reduction of up to 92% compared to fossil fuels. Designed for modular scalability across different locations for global rollout of SAF production facilities.
- Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) Process The proprietary Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid process integrates renewable electricity, biomethane, and CO2 into a single conversion pathway to produce synthesis gas, the precursor for renewable fuels including SAF, renewable diesel, and other chemical products. The process delivers approximately one-third eSAF and two-thirds BioSAF, reducing electricity consumption six-fold compared to conventional Power-to-Liquid processes.
- Pilot Plant Germany I CAPHENIA's first production facility located at Industriepark Frankfurt-Höchst, Germany. The plant has an annual syngas capacity of 1,420 tonnes and is expected to produce approximately 500 tonnes of renewable synthetic fuels. It serves as a model facility to demonstrate scalability of the PBR technology for rapid global replication.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) SAF produced via CAPHENIA's PBtL process from biomethane and CO2. The product stream consists of approximately one-third eSAF (electricity-based synthetic fuel) and two-thirds BioSAF (biomass-derived fuel). SAF is chemically nearly identical to conventional kerosene, fully compatible with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure, and achieves up to 92% CO2 reduction over its lifecycle compared to fossil kerosene.
- Renewable Diesel Renewable diesel fuel produced via CAPHENIA's PBtL process and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, suitable for use in heavy-duty transport and shipping. It is chemically identical to its fossil counterpart and can be used in existing engines and logistics infrastructure without modifications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% CO2 reduction compared to fossil fuels
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use CAPHENIA
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CAPHENIA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
CAPHENIA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.
- SiemenscoreSiemens serves as CAPHENIA's preferred automation and digitalization partner, providing solutions from its Siemens Xcelerator portfolio including process control systems, drive technology, instrumentation, and process simulation software. The partnership aims to develop a standardized, modularly scalable automation template for CAPHENIA's Plasma Boudouard Reactor technology to enable global rollout of commercial SAF production facilities.
- CondorflagshipCondor, a German airline, has signed an off-take agreement with CAPHENIA for future procurement of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Condor supports the further development of CAPHENIA's SAF production process to market maturity while securing access to agreed quantities once production reaches industrial scale in 2027. This partnership serves as a beacon for the entire SAF industry.
- Emerging Fuels Technology (EFT)coreCAPHENIA and US-based Emerging Fuels Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate CAPHENIA's Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) technology with EFT's Fischer-Tropsch Technology Platform for improved efficiency and scalability of SAF production. CAPHENIA will acquire license rights to combine its syngas technology with EFT's platform for multiple projects.
- MAN Energy Solutions (now Everllence)coreMAN Energy Solutions, a renowned plant manufacturer, partnered with CAPHENIA for reactor and plant engineering. MAN manufactured the Plasma Boudouard Reactor for the Germany I pilot plant at their Deggendorf facility and continues to participate in the development of innovative reactors for renewable fuel synthesis. The partnership offers remarkable production capacities for both high reactor quantities and highly scaled reactor sizes.
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)supportingDLR serves as a project partner contributing expertise in reaction kinetics, aerosol measurement, and numerical simulation for CAPHENIA's technology development.
- Max Planck Institute for ChemistrysupportingAcademic research partner contributing to CAPHENIA's technology development for sustainable fuel production.
- Infraserv HöchstsupportingSite operator for CAPHENIA's pilot plant Germany I at Industriepark Frankfurt-Höchst.
- BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbHsupportingProcess development partner for fine gas purification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
- Bavarian Ministry of Economic AffairssupportingMOU partner in the 'Cleantech in Aviation' consortium, supporting CAPHENIA's development.
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and TechnologysupportingAcademic partner providing expertise in electrical engineering concepts and plasma experiments for PBR reactor development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights3 records
CAPHENIA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HIF Global: HIF Global is one of the most advanced e-fuels developers, producing carbon-neutral synthetic gasoline, diesel, and SAF from green hydrogen and captured CO2. Direct competitor to CAPHENIA in the e-SAF space with similar commercial-scale ambitions and offtake agreements with airlines.
- Sunfire: German clean-tech company developing high-temperature electrolyzers and Power-to-Liquid fuels including eSAF. Competes in the same European e-SAF market with similar technology partnerships and industrial-scale ambitions.
- Infinium: Infinium (formerly Greyrock Energy) develops Power-to-Liquid e-fuels including eSAF using a different catalyst-based process. Directly competes for the same airline SAF offtake market and EU ReFuelEU mandate fulfillment.
- Norsk e-Fuel: Norwegian e-Fuel developer building one of Europe's first commercial e-SAF plants using Power-to-Liquid technology. Directly comparable to CAPHENIA in targeting European aviation with synthetic kerosene from renewable electricity and CO2.
- Atmosfair: German non-profit developer of Power-to-Liquid synthetic kerosene with a plant in Werlte, Germany. Operates in the same German e-SAF ecosystem with airline offtake agreements and EU ReFuelEU positioning.
Others
- MAN Energy Solutions (now Everllence): Strategic partner of CAPHENIA that manufactured the Plasma Boudouard Reactor at its Deggendorf facility. Functions as both a technology partner and adjacent industrial player in large-scale reactor/plant engineering for fuel and chemical production.
Emerging players
- Twelve (formerly Opus 12): US-based company converting CO2 into chemicals and fuels using electrochemical technology. Competes in the CO2-to-fuels space but with a different (electrocatalytic) process and broader product portfolio beyond SAF.
- Prometheus Fuels: US startup developing synthetic fuels from atmospheric CO2 capture. Targets aviation and road fuels with a different (atmospheric capture + electrochemical) process but similar e-SAF end market.
- LanzaTech: US-based carbon recycling company producing ethanol and SAF from industrial off-gases using gas fermentation. Competes for SAF supply contracts but uses a biological rather than thermochemical/plasma pathway.
Broad incumbents
- Neste: Finland-based global leader in renewable diesel and SAF (HEFA pathway), the dominant incumbent in current SAF supply. Represents the established alternative CAPHENIA must displace, though Neste's HEFA pathway has feedstock constraints that PBtL avoids.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAPHENIA social profiles
Digital presenceCAPHENIA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAPHENIA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CAPHENIA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAPHENIA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAPHENIA
What does CAPHENIA do?
CAPHENIA develops and operates proprietary Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) technology using a Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process that converts renewable electricity, biomethane, and CO2 into synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is processed into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at a pilot plant in Frankfurt-Höchst, with commercial-scale SAF production targeted for 2027.
Is CAPHENIA a public or private company?
CAPHENIA is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CAPHENIA founded?
CAPHENIA was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CAPHENIA based?
CAPHENIA is headquartered in Bernau Am Chiemsee, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does CAPHENIA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and renewable Diesel and Other Chemical Products.
Who are CAPHENIA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HIF Global, Sunfire, Infinium, Norsk e-Fuel and Atmosfair. MAN Energy Solutions (now Everllence) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Twelve (formerly Opus 12), Prometheus Fuels and LanzaTech. Neste is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does CAPHENIA have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAPHENIA.
What industry is CAPHENIA in?
CAPHENIA's product category is Synthetic Fuel Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIACAI, Thermal Treatment (Pyrolysis, Gasification, Plasma) for Residual Waste, with a secondary code of EUABAJAC, Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol). Its NAICS code is 32511 and its SIC code is 2860.