Nel and Rheinmetall Sign MoU on Decentralised Synthetic Fuels
Oslo – October 13, 2026 -- Nel ASA and Rheinmetall AG have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to explore decentralised production of low-carbon synthetic fuels for defence and critical infrastructure, starting with the Norwegian market.
The partners will combine Nel's electrolyser technology with Rheinmetall's Giga PtX concept and systems-integration expertise. They will assess scalable, modular solutions based on renewable hydrogen produced through electrolysis. The resulting fuels can substitute conventional fuels without changes to end-use applications.
Norway's single refinery drives the case for localised fuel supply
Norway operates only one oil refinery. The country exports significant volumes of crude oil to Europe for refining, and refined products are then shipped back for domestic use. In a disruption, parts of the fuel supply chain depend on infrastructure beyond national control.