HIF Global has signed a preliminary agreement with German eFuel One for the long-term supply of e-methanol, opening a European market for certified synthetic fuels. The deal, which could reach 100,000 tonnes per year, signals growing international demand for green molecules and validates Chile’s strategic push into hydrogen derivatives, even though initial supply will come from Uruguay.
Deal details and volumes
HIF Global and German eFuel One have signed a preliminary agreement for the long-term supply of e-methanol. The fuel would come from HIF’s Paysandú project in Uruguay, and the framework sets the basis for negotiating a definitive purchase contract. The estimated volume is 100,000 tonnes per year, as Europe begins to scale demand for synthetic fuels under strict regulations such as EU RED III.
Certification and market access
The e-methanol will meet standards set by the International Association of Methanol Producers and Consumers and will carry RFNBO certification, a key requirement for commercialization in the European Union. This certification ensures the fuel qualifies as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin, giving buyers regulatory certainty under EU climate targets.
What buyers should watch
Although initial supply will not come from Chile, the agreement validates the industrial model that HIF already operates at HIF Haru Oni in Magallanes, where it has produced and exported e-fuels for over three years. For overseas importers and distributors, this deal signals that certified green methanol is moving from pilot to commercial scale, with Hamburg emerging as a key logistics hub for clean energy imports into Europe.
Industry and logistics signals
Diego Fettweis, Commercial Director of HIF Global, said the agreement expands the reach of sustainable fuels and contributes to decarbonizing transport and global industry. Christian Hanke, Managing Director of German eFuel One, noted that the understanding allows progress toward reliable industrial production and that Hamburg is projected as a key logistics node for clean energy imports into Europe.
Application flexibility
e-Methanol is produced by combining green hydrogen with recycled carbon dioxide. It can be used in existing engines and infrastructure without modifications, and can also be converted into e-gasoline or e-SAF for aviation. The future contract will depend on execution and the scaling of HIF’s international production capacity, with projects under development in various regions.
Source: Read the original report | Published: February 19, 2026