Elyse Energy secures 120 million euros to accelerate eSAF, eMethanol project development

Elyse Energy, a French company producing sustainable fuels and low-carbon feedstock, has secured approximately 120 million euros (USD$126.3 million) from Hy24, PGGM, Bpifrance and Mirova to accelerate development of its eMethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production projects in France and Spain, addressing the growing demand for decarbonization solutions in the aviation, maritime and chemical sectors.

Under the transaction, Elyse Energy received renewed support from its longstanding partners: Hy24, a world-leading private-asset manager focused on the hydrogen economy, and Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, fully committed to sustainable investment.

Hy24 strengthened its commitment to Elyse Energy by acquiring a stake in the company through its Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Fund, a fund that serves as the reference partner for the most advanced hydrogen project developers in France and worldwide.

In addition, two new investors joined the funding round: PGGM, a leading Dutch pension-fund investor, through its climate and energy transition solutions mandate provided by its client Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn (PFZW), and Bpifrance, the French public-investment bank, a key player in France for both reindustrialization and companies’ ecological and energy transition.

Elyse Energy has a diversified portfolio of projects producing SAF and eMethanol in France and the Iberian Peninsula.

This funding round will enable Elyse Energy to pursue the development of its most advanced projects to final-investment decision (FID), a prerequisite for launching construction, while consolidating and expanding its project portfolio.

When operational, its most advanced projects—BioTJet, eM-Rhône and eM-Numancia—would save around 700,000 tons of CO2-equivalent per year, at the same time as contributing to European security of energy supply and reindustrialization.

Recognized as among the most advanced in the world, Elyse Energy’s projects align with French and European objectives for decarbonization and green reindustrialization, as reflected in the European Green Deal and its sectoral initiatives such as the ReFuelEU aviation and FuelEU maritime regulations.

Sustainable fuels and low-carbon feedstock are expected to play a critical role in the energy transition, particularly in aviation, maritime transport and the chemical industry by offering immediate solutions compatible with existing infrastructure.

“We must stay the course on French and European ambitions to decarbonize the maritime and aviation sectors, which cannot achieve their transition without low-carbon hydrogen,” said Pierre-Etienne Franc, the co-founder and CEO of Hy24. “The role of these molecules in our future energy mixes and for our industries is central. They will enable France to position itself as a strategic player at the heart of the European energy hub. We are proud to support entrepreneurs like Elyse Energy and the development of projects contributing to the collective effort toward greater energy sovereignty.”

David Jerez Antoni, the associate director at PGGM Infrastructure, added, “eMethanol and SAF are becoming indispensable links in the transition to more sustainable transport and industry. To achieve this, a robust infrastructure must be developed for the production and distribution of these sustainable forms of energy. PGGM is investing in Elyse Energy because it proves to create value in this energy transition. In doing so, we fulfill the ambition of our client PFZW to play a role in the decarbonization of our economies through profitable and impactful investments.”

Samuel Waddell, the investment director at Bpifrance, said, “Elyse Energy has successfully developed a diversified portfolio of low-carbon molecule-production projects in several key industrial sectors, including transport and chemicals. We are very proud to support this industrial SME and its project, which meets the challenges of reindustrialization, sovereignty and decarbonization.”

Anne-Laure Messier, the investment director at Mirova, added, “This fundraising is a decisive step for Elyse Energy in pursuing its development and increasing its positive impact on the decarbonization of transportation. We are thrilled to support them in this new phase of growth. Their strategy, which contributes to European energy sovereignty and the reindustrialization of regions, aligns with our approach as a responsible investor in energy-transition infrastructure.”

Pascal Pénicaud, the president and co-founder of Elyse Energy, said, “This fundraising marks a significant milestone for Elyse Energy and, more broadly, for the development of the European eFuels industry. It reflects the growing demand for sustainable molecules and fuels from our clients in the industrial, maritime and aviation sectors. The energy transition is accelerating, and we are proud to actively contribute to this transformation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Hy24 and Mirova for their renewed trust, and we are delighted to welcome two leading investors, PGGM and Bpifrance, to support our vision.”

Elyse Energy was advised by Nomura Greentech as financial advisor (M&A) and by CLP-Cliperton for legal matters.

The consortium comprising Hy24, PGGM, Bpifrance and Mirova was advised on legal aspects by Gide Loyrette Nouel.