Biomass to Fuels: IH2 Commercial Process Optimisation
Shell Catalysts & Technologies operates a dedicated process development program to optimise the IH2 biomass to fuels process conditions, for the production of transport fuels from waste. Process development for IH2 technology validates basic design principles, feedstocks, product quality, and yield structure for operators.
Enable the Production of Transport Fuels from Biomass Waste
Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ process development for IH2 technology tests and optimises biomass to fuel processes for the hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion reactors of the IH2 process. Studies were conducted at the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in Chicago, IL US and at Shell Technology Centre Bangalore (STCB) with the hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion reactors of the IH2 process. The two reactors have different process targets in the conversion of organic material. In the hydropyrolysis reactor, the feedstock solids are interacting with the gases and the hydropyrolysis catalyst to convert the biomass into organic fragments with low oxygen content. In the hydroconversion reactor, the remaining small amount of impurities are removed and the final properties of the hydrocarbons is achieved.
The GTI pilot plant operates in excess of 9,000 hours on stream, demonstrating key aspects of IH2 technology, including the feedstock handling and supply system, the first- and second-stage reactors, and the separation and discharge systems for the biochar. Thousands of litres of liquid hydrocarbon fuel have also been produced during these experiments.
Shell Technology Centre Bangalore (STCB) is home to several bench-scale operating units including high throughput testing facilities, as well as catalyst preparation equipment focused on advancing the technology. A second pilot-scale facility has recently begun operation at STCB.
The IH2 Demonstration facility at STCB provides our largest scale for process optimisation, including the validation of feedstocks and the product quality and yield structure. It also aids the fine-tuning of the process models and provides training for operators.
Our process development for IH2 technology:
- Validates basic design principles for large-scale biomass to fuels process optimisation, including validating product quality and yield structure.
- Demonstrates the handling and conversion of feedstock into hydrocarbon streams, like gasoline, kerosene, and diesel.
- Validates the IH2 process for converting organic material ranging from forestry, agricultural, aquacultural residues and (ligno)cellulosic fractions of municipal waste.
Shell Catalysts & Technologies provides end-to-end support for the IH2 process. Operators can leverage our optimised IH2 process development, advanced biofuel catalysts, and IH2 demonstration facility for training, design validation, and commercial viability.

Get full biomass to fuels process, technology, and product support and validation for large-scale commercial viability.?
We provide expert guidance and technology validation throughout the IH2 process to position operators to maximise their investment and effectively convert organic waste to valuable transportation fuels while maintaining high greenhouse gas reduction values.
Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion
Convert a wide range of organic wastes to liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels efficiently.
Catalysts for IH2 Advanced Biofuels Technology
Improve the IH2 process with advanced biofuel catalysts. Shell Catalysts & Technologies develops catalyst formulations that fulfil IH2 technology process requirements.
IH2 Demonstration Facility
Operating at 5 metric tonnes per day, this facility converts forestry, agricultural and urban waste into fungible hydrocarbon transportation fuels.