Neuchâtel, Switzerland — A bold new chapter in sustainable energy began with the official launch of the Global Ethanol Association (GEA), a groundbreaking non-profit organization headquartered in Switzerland. Founded by leading voices in the energy and maritime sectors, GEA is set to redefine ethanol’s global role across industries, starting with one of the hardest-to-abate sectors: international shipping.
New Switzerland-based non-profit unites global industry leaders to accelerate innovation, collaboration, and adoption of ethanol solutions — with an initial focus on maritime decarbonization.
With a mission to unlock ethanol’s full potential as a clean, scalable, and globally available fuel, the GEA brings together ethanol producers, shipowners, engine manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and innovators across the value chain. By uniting these forces, the association aims to drive cross-sector collaboration, support research and development, influence policy frameworks, and create a unified platform for ethanol advocacy worldwide.
“The Global Ethanol Association represents a transformative step for ethanol as a strategic enabler of sustainable solutions across industries,” said Sylvain Zurcher, Co-Founder & President of the Global Ethanol Association. “Our mission is to connect innovation with action, delivering tangible solutions that link industry ambition with real-world impact.”
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Ethanol as a Marine Fuel: GEA’s Flagship Initiative
GEA’s first and foremost initiative is focused on the maritime industry, a sector under increasing pressure to decarbonize amid tightening environmental regulations and rising sustainability expectations from cargo owners and consumers alike.
The Marine Fuel Sector Initiative—GEA’s flagship program—will drive ethanol’s integration into the low-carbon fuel mix for marine applications. Backed by shipowners, engine developers, port operators, and ethanol suppliers, the initiative seeks to catalyze the market by addressing both sides of the equation: demand creation and supply readiness.
“By leveraging the capabilities of new multi-fuel marine engines, ethanol can be integrated into the low-emission marine fuel mix,” said Morten Jacobsen, Co-Founder & Secretary General of the Global Ethanol Association. “This future-proof approach offers shipowners and operators the flexibility to adapt to regional fuel availability, pricing, and sustainability goals. This is a game-changing step toward fuel supply security and emission resilience across global trade routes.”
GEA’s Marine Fuel Sector Initiative will support pilot projects, fuel trials, infrastructure planning, and investment mobilization to accelerate ethanol’s path from promise to practice in global bunker market.
Industry Collaboration: WinGD Joins as Founding Member
As a testament to the importance of cross-sector collaboration, GEA proudly announced that WinGD Ltd., a global leader in marine engine innovation, has joined as a founding member.
“In our experience, collaboration is the key to accelerating the energy transition in shipping, so joining the Global Ethanol Association as a founding member was a clear decision,” said Dominik Schneiter, CEO of WinGD. “Our advanced multi-fuel engine technology enables shipowners to adopt ethanol as part of the sustainable fuel mix. By working with GEA, we are helping the shipping industry meet its decarbonization targets with solutions that combine flexibility, reliability, and sustainability.”
WinGD’s participation underscores the real-world feasibility of ethanol adoption, supported by cutting-edge engine platforms capable of operating on multiple fuel types, including bioethanol and e-ethanol.
Open Call: Join the Movement
The Global Ethanol Association invites forward-looking companies, innovators, researchers, and policy stakeholders across the globe to join the organization as active members and shape the future of sustainable energy. Membership opportunities are now open to:
- Ethanol producers and suppliers
- Shipowners and operators
- Engine manufacturers
- Fuel logistics and bunkering providers
- Regulatory and research institutions
- Sustainability-focused investors and NGOs
Together, members will contribute to technical standard-setting, investment strategies, pilot deployments, and policy advocacy for expanding ethanol’s role as a clean energy solution not only in shipping, but also in aviation, road transport, and industrial sectors.
About the Global Ethanol Association (GEA)
The Global Ethanol Association is an independent, non-profit international organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of ethanol-based energy solutions across industries. Headquartered in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, GEA acts as a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration, technological innovation, and market development — with a primary focus on maritime decarbonization as a launchpad for broader impact.
Source Global Ethanol Association (GEA)