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Expander Energy Secures Environmental Approval for Phase 1 of Wheatland Bio-Synfuel Facility
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CALGARY, Alberta — Sept. 10, 2026 - TheNewswire — Expander Energy Inc. (“Expander”) has officially received approval under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act to construct the first phase of its Wheatland Bio-Synfuel Facility near Calgary, Alberta proposed to deliver 8.3 million liters / year of renewable Bio-Synthetic fuel.
Recent collaborations with aviation industry partners have highlighted an urgent, near-term demand for second-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) that does not compete with food products for resources or pricing. In response to this demand, Expander is processing an amendment to its approval which could expand bio-syngas generating capacity and a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) unit, boosting the facility’s total capacity to 36 million litres per year of renewable bio-synthetic fuels. The larger scale facility would unlock the ability to utilize alternative feedstocks such as agricultural residues, sewage sludge and used railway ties.
Transforming Landfill Waste into Clean Fuel
The expanded facility will leverage Expander’s patented Enhanced Biomass to Liquids (EBTL®) technology. Key project highlights include:
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Feedstock Conversion: The plant will process up to 112,000 dry tonnes of landfill-redirected wood waste per year.
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Product Output: The facility will yield 36 million litres annually of Bio-SynJet® (SAF), Bio-SynDiesel® (RD), Renewable Naphtha, and Bio-Wax.
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Carbon Reduction: The project aims to displace fossil fuels, resulting in a net avoidance of up to 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
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Negative Carbon Intensity: By permanently sequestering bio-CO underground through the East Calgary Carbon Transportation and Sequestration Hub, the fuel is expected to achieve a net-negative lifecycle carbon intensity as low as -15 gCO2e/MJ, validated by Canada’s Federal Fuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Model and BC's GHGenius.
A Pipeline for Next-Generation Bio-Synthetics
Cellulosic sources like forestry residues, agricultural residues, landfill-diverted wood waste, sewage sludge, and used railway ties are poised to become the dominant feedstock for SAF and Renewable Diesel over the next decade. Expander's proprietary Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch (GFT) technology suite—which includes electrolysis pathways (BETL® and CETL®)—allows for small-scale production costs that are highly competitive with current HEFA and HDRD fuels. Larger scale "nth-of-a-kind" facilities are expected to drive production costs closer to conventional fossil jet fuel.
The Wheatland project is the first in a pipeline of developments planned for Alberta and Northern British Columbia, where biomass and carbon sequestration infrastructure are readily available.
Executive Commentary
"Regulatory approval, along with secured land and feedstock, are key elements in securing both government and private project financing. Expander Energy is actively engaging with strategic partners to secure project funding," said Steve Kresnyak, Executive Vice President and CTO of Expander Energy Inc. "We will continue to share more details as these partnerships are finalized, with the target of delivering price-competitive, second-generation GFT SAF for aviation in 2029."
Expander aims to advance project development to secure funding in late 2026, targeting commercial production by 2029. Once complete, the Wheatland facility will serve as a global showcase for next-generation bio-synthetic fuel production.
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Expander Energy Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based energy technology company that has developed a patented suite of transportation fuel production technologies to convert biomass, captured carbon and low Carbon Intensity electricity into “fossil free” low life cycle carbon intensity synthetic diesel fuel (Bio-SynDiesel®) and synthetic kerosene jet fuel (Bio-SynJet®). Expander’s Bio-Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration (BECCS) solution utilizes cellulosic biomass to produce next generation low CI synthetic fuels while efficiently capturing bio-carbon for geologic sequestration. Bio-SynDiesel®, Bio-SynJet®, BGTL®, EBTL®, BETL®, CETL® and FT Crude® are trademarks of Expander Energy Inc.
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer’s business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer’s prospective financial performance or financial position.
The forward-looking information in this press release relates to Expanders’ plans to build and operate Biomass to Liquids facilities.
Expander has made certain material assumptions to develop the forward-looking information in this presentation, including assumptions about the availability of financing to build Biomass to Liquids facilities and the demand for renewable paraffinic synthetic diesel, jet and naphtha. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to various significant risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this news release.
Expander assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this press release unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.
Gord N. Crawford, P.Eng. - President and CEO
1185 – 10201 Southport Road SW Calgary Alberta T2W 4X9
g.crawford@expanderenergy.com 780-966-4673
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