Emerson to automate Europe’s first dedicated SAF plant

Emerson has been selected by Technip Energies to provide automation technology for Europe’s first greenfield plant dedicated to producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Developed by SkyNRG, the facility will be located in Delfzijl, Netherlands, and is expected to begin operations in 2028.

The plant is designed to have an annual capacity of approximately 100,000 tons of SAF. It will process fats and residual oils to create a ‘drop-in’ fuel that is compatible with existing aircraft and refueling infrastructure without requiring modifications. The project includes the automation of feedstock pretreatment units, SAF synthesis, and a hydrogen generation plant using steam methane reforming (SMR).

Emerson will deploy its DeltaV integrated control and safety system to enable real-time production monitoring, emergency shutdown management, and fire and gas detection. The system will also support predictive maintenance through continuous equipment monitoring. This project supports the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates a 2% SAF blend at European airports starting in 2025, rising to 70% by 2050.