European sustainable aviation fuel production advances through new technology and facilities

Several industrial entities are advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production through new technological collaborations and facility developments in Europe.

Shell, Fraunhofer IKTS, and AVL have launched a four-year partnership to develop a next-generation power-to-liquids (PTL) process. This initiative focuses on producing synthetic e-SAF using solid oxide co-electrolysis technology, which utilizes carbon dioxide and low-carbon electricity. The project includes pilot-scale testing at Shell’s Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam and is supported by the Dutch government's DEI Energy Innovation scheme.

Separately, Emerson has been contracted by Technip Energies to provide automation technologies for SkyNRG’s new SAF plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands. This facility is Europe’s first dedicated greenfield SAF production plant. Expected to be operational by 2028, the plant will convert residual fats and greases into approximately 100,000 tons of SAF annually to help meet EU mandates, such as the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation.