NINGBO, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 18, 2026--
Allied Biofuels has held a major Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) meeting at Sinopec’s office in Ningbo, China, bringing together Allied Biofuels, Sinopec Engineering Group Co., Ltd. of China, Topsoe A/S of Denmark, Sasol South Africa Limited, and Plug Power of the United States — the principal international engineering and technology providers supporting its US$6.1 billion Presidential Decree-backed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and e-SAF project in Uzbekistan.
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At the joint FEED meeting of the project’s core engineering and technology stakeholders, the discussions established clear alignment on engineering responsibilities, technology interfaces, design deliverables, project integration and the coordinated execution programme required to advance the project through FEED.
All stakeholders working on the project expressed full confidence in the execution programme and in achieving Final Investment Decision (FID) in Q1 2027.
Sinopec Engineering Group Co., Ltd. of China is delivering FEED, systems integration, Detailed Engineering and open-book cost development, with the project structured for rollover to EPC.
Topsoe A/S of Denmark and Sasol South Africa Limited are providing the core technology license, engineering design package and technical services for the e-SAF production pathway, combining Topsoe’s SynCOR™ technology with Sasol’s Fischer-Tropsch technology.
Plug Power of the United States, through Plug Power Europe SAS, is supporting the project with up to 2.4 GW of GenEco PEM electrolyzer systems, along with the Basic Engineering Design Package and associated engineering services.
These engineering and technology providers bring the world-class technical capability, proven expertise and execution strength required to advance the project through FEED and into the next stage of delivery, with all major workstreams firmly aligned toward achieving FID in Q1 2027.
Alfred Benedict, Managing Director of Allied Biofuels, said:
“The Ningbo meeting confirms the strength of this project and the confidence shared by every stakeholder involved. Sinopec, Topsoe, Sasol and Plug Power are working alongside Allied Biofuels with a common objective, and the engineering and technology workstreams are firmly aligned for execution.
"The responsibilities are clear, the key technology interfaces are aligned and the execution programme is established. All stakeholders have demonstrated full confidence in the project, and we are fully confident in achieving Final Investment Decision in Q1 2027.
"The capability, commitment and alignment demonstrated in Ningbo reinforce our confidence in delivering this project at world scale.”
The Ningbo FEED meeting represents a major milestone in Allied Biofuels’ development programme. It has brought the project’s principal engineering and technology providers into clear alignment on execution and established the coordinated programme required to advance through FEED.
Allied Biofuels and all stakeholders working on the project are proceeding with full confidence toward Final Investment Decision in Q1 2027.
About Allied Biofuels
Allied Biofuels is developing Central Asia’s first world-scale integrated biorefinery in Uzbekistan, purpose-engineered for the industrial-scale production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and e-SAF.
The US$6.1 billion Presidential Decree-backed development integrates advanced fuels technology, renewable energy, green hydrogen production, international engineering expertise and a global commercial and logistics platform.
Working with leading international engineering and technology providers, Allied Biofuels is developing a world-scale sustainable aviation fuels project designed to establish Uzbekistan as a significant future producer and supplier to the global aviation market.
FEED Meeting - Ningbo, China
Iran says it struck an oil tanker trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, while hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Tehran in the largest show of support for the government since the United States and Israel launched attacks in February.
Meanwhile, South Korea says it is considering expanding a naval operation in the Gulf of Aden to protect its ships and oil-shipping routes, but it will not send troops to intervene in the Iran war.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday. Full coverage is available here.
Iran said it struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend over what it described as an “illegal attempt” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state broadcaster, which cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the report.
The Guard's navy warned that vessels attempting to pass through the strait without authorization would face “destruction,” the broadcaster said. Tehran has asserted control over the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a “security incident” overnight involving a vessel 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, which lies on the other side of the strait. The crew was safe and no environmental impact was reported, the monitor said.
It was not clear whether the UKMTO report referred to the attack claimed by Iran.
The U.S. military has been escorting some commercial ships through the strait off Oman as the threat of Iranian attacks continues.
Separately, the UKMTO said a tanker in the strait was hit by an “unknown projectile,” causing a fire that was later extinguished. The crew was reported safe, with no immediate indication of environmental damage, it said.
The AP could not independently confirm the incident, and there was no immediate claim from Iran.
The monitor also said another tanker was struck Wednesday by an “unknown projectile” while transiting out of the strait, with the crew reported safe. It was not clear why the report came later.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran in the biggest rally since the war began in February, pledging to take up arms as “Janfaday-e Iran,” or those “who sacrifice their lives for Iran.”
Iran’s government has sought to rally the people and stress national unity, even as the economy worsens under a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and new U.S. sanctions meant to increase Tehran’s economic pain.
Some participants trampled flags of the U.S. and Israel. Others chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Hundreds of people rallied in northern areas of Yemen in support of the Houthis and to protest Saudi Arabia’s accusation that the rebels targeted Islam’s holiest site, Mecca.
Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV showed protesters carrying pictures of the Kaaba, a landmark in Mecca, along with Yemeni, Iranian, Lebanese and Palestinian flags. A speaker reiterated the Houthis’ opposition to Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The Saudis said they intercepted a Houthi drone targeting Mecca earlier this week. The Houthi leadership has denied responsibility.
The Houthis are fighting Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, which lately has fueled mass displacement of more than 100,000 people.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said his government is considering expanding the operations of a naval unit deployed in the Gulf of Aden off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia to protect his country’s vessels and oil shipping routes.
But he stressed that South Korea would not take action that would draw it into the U.S.-Iran conflict, pushing back against recent pressure from the Trump administration. South Korea has deployed the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit for years.
The growing threat from Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen to shipping in the region has alarmed countries and markets, even though the rebels have said they are only targeting the assets of neighboring Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter.
“There will be no troop deployment that involves or intervenes in the war,” Lee said.
A UKMTO update said there have been no new attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in the week since Houthi rebels captured strategic islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at its southern end.
The monitor noted increased Houthi control of parts of Yemen’s west coast and described the threat level for the southern Red Sea as “substantial.” But it said the latest recorded attacks, including near misses, were on Aug. 24, though northbound and southbound transits of the strait are down.
In the Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO said U.S.-facilitated ship transits off Oman have averaged 24 a day over the past week. Overall, traffic remains about 90% lower than before the war.
This piece will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
Palestinian civil defense crews carry a body from the rubble of a collapsed building that housed displaced Palestinians and was heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas war, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Armed personnel affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard take part in the state-organized "Janfada," or "Sacrifice for Iran," military exercise in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Protesters stage a rally against the possible deployment of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz and a U.S. demand for the deployment, near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. The banners read ''Oppose troop deployment.'' (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
