Zaffra - shaping the SAF industry

In this first SAF Talk interview of Season 3, we sit down with Jan Toschka, CEO of Zaffra, a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol, to explore the vision, challenges, and opportunities shaping the SAF industry.

Jan Toschka brings over 24 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, with a recent focus on aviation. As the CEO of Zaffra - a JV of Topsoe and Sasol - he leads an organization which combines market leading technologies with extensive project development and operational experience from its shareholders. Zaffra’s mission is to become a top-quartile player in the SAF market by producing eSAF at scale.

The vision and strategic goals of Zaffra

Zaffra is focused on leveraging its shareholders‘ strengths, namely advanced technology, operational excellence, and project development expertise, to bring eSAF production to life within the next five years. With the European eSAF mandate set for 2030, Zaffra is positioning itself as a key player in the market, aiming to produce synthetic fuels that meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation solutions.

Tackling challenges: Feedstocks, partnerships, and scalability

One of the biggest challenges in eSAF production is securing the necessary feedstocks, green hydrogen, renewable electricity, and carbon sources. In the interview, Jan explains how Zaffra is addressing this by forming strategic partnerships with hydrogen producers, green energy suppliers, and other key players. By orchestrating these collaborations, Zaffra aims to create a shared vision with partners and resolve the challenges collectively.

The role of regulation and market drivers

The European eSAF mandate is a critical enabler for Zaffra’s ambitions. Jan emphasizes the importance of regulatory frameworks and penalties in derisking investments and driving demand for SAF and eSAF. However, he also highlights the need for a fair-share framework where all stakeholders – airlines, airports, fuel producers, and governments – contribute to advancing technology and making SAF more affordable.

By 2040, Zaffra aims to be a top-three player in the global eSAF market, with a strong double-digit market share. Beyond volume and revenue, Zaffra is committed to thought leadership, pioneering innovation, and influencing policy to shape the future of sustainable aviation.