Expander Energy Completes FEED Phase for Mackenzie Biofuel Project

Calgary, Alberta — May 11, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Expander Energy Inc. is moving forward with its Mackenzie Biofuel Project after completing the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase.

The project, a proposed Biomass Electrolysis to Liquids (BETL®) Bio-Synfuel facility in Mackenzie, British Columbia, is now focused on securing regulatory approvals and finalizing deliverables to obtain capital funding. Expander and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) aim to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of 2026, with the goal of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel by 2029.

The Mackenzie Biofuel Project is one of three projects supported by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through the Clean Fuels Fund program.

The facility intends to be the first-of-its-kind low-carbon clean fuel production site in BC and Canada, utilizing forestry wood waste biomass (cellulose).

BETL®, developed by Expander and CNL, is a patented and patent-pending process for creating low-carbon bio-synthetic fuels. It uses Expander’s technology for biomass gasification and bio-synthetic fuel production, integrating electrolysis technology. The resulting fuel will consist entirely of carbon from biogenic (atmospheric) sources, resulting in a very low life cycle carbon intensity (CI).

The proposed facility will use the BETL® technology to convert 82,000 dry tonnes per year of forestry wood waste into 30 million liters per year of SAF, renewable diesel, renewable naphtha, and bio-wax, with a life cycle carbon intensity 80% lower than fossil equivalents.

Expander is working with Provincial and Federal grant funding partners, as well as private equity firms, to secure funding for the facility's construction and operation in Mackenzie, BC. The company is also collaborating with key strategic commercial partners in the aviation industry to assess initial market interest. The initial product target is 18 million liters/year of SAF, with a potential opportunity to expand SAF production to 72 million liters per year.

The Mackenzie Biofuel Project has the potential to produce SAF and renewable diesel at prices competitive with comparable alternatives while providing a robust rate of return, making it a significant development for the clean fuels and aviation industries, offering a realistic pathway to lower-cost SAF and RD.

Steve Kresnyak, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Expander Energy Inc., stated that the company is thrilled to announce the progress on the Mackenzie Biofuels Project. He added that the FEED study is complete, land and feedstock are secured, and there is strong support from key community and Indigenous leaders. He said the company continues to accelerate the project and is encouraged by the enthusiastic response from strategic partners.

Expander is thankful for the continued support of land and feedstock partner East Fraser Fiber Co., as well as the community and Indigenous leaders, specifically the McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) and the District of Mackenzie who have provided letters of support for the project.

Expander Energy Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based energy technology company that has developed a 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®), synthetic kerosene jet fuel (Bio-SynJet®) and green prime power generation. 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®, and CETL® are trademarks of Expander Energy Inc.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), is a leader in nuclear science and technology. Guided by Vision 2030, CNL focuses on restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

East Fraser Fiber Co. Ltd. is a Canadian wood-product manufacturer, part of the Parallel Lumber Group, that produces finger-joint studs, trim blocks, and wood chips for the North American construction market.

The McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) is part of the Tse’khene group of Aboriginal peoples. The main community is located on McLeod Lake Indian Band Indian Reserves #1 and #5.

The District of Mackenzie is a community of approximately 3,700 residents in north-central British Columbia, known for its natural resource-based industries and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Source: Expander Energy Inc.