Topsoe Secures First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project in China

• Topsoe selected by Guangxi Free Trade Zone Hongkun Biomass Fuel Co., Ltd. (Guangxi Hongkun Biomass) to deliver its HydroFlex™ technology for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.
  
• Based on Topsoe technology, 300,000 tons of feedstock will be processed into renewable fuels.
• Construction of the plant to begin in May 2024 and SAF production expected to start in the beginning of 2026.

Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, has signed an agreement with Guangxi Hongkun Biomass to provide its HydroFlex™ technology to produce SAF at the Company’s plant in the Qinzhou Port Area Free Trade Pilot Zone of Guangxi, China. This agreement is Topsoe’s first SAF project in China.

Topsoe will deliver its HydroFlex™ technology for the project, which expects to process 300,000 tons of feedstock per year.

Guangxi Hongkun Biomass’s SAF production plant is expected to begin construction in May 2024, with SAF production to begin within the first few months of 2026.

Topsoe is the global leader in renewable diesel and SAF, with one third of all operating capacity being based on Topsoe technology.

Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, said:
“We continue to expand our SAF technology offering across the world, and we are thrilled to secure our first agreement to supply SAF production technology to a partner in China. This agreement represents a key step in introducing an alternative to conventional jet fuel in this geography and contributes to our sustained efforts of supporting decarbonization globally. We look forward to further expand our relationship with Guangxi Hongkun Biomass to achieve their decarbonization goals.”

Jiaming Liu, General Manager of Guangxi Hongkun Biomass said:
“Topsoe has world-class capabilities in biomass and renewable fuel production, and we are deeply impressed by Topsoe's global leading technology and market influence in this field. After comprehensive selection, we firmly believe that Topsoe is capable of providing strong support to Hongkun in the field of bio-aviation fuel production. Guangxi Hongkun and Topsoe will continue to strengthen the in-depth cooperation in green methanol, green ammonia, green hydrogen business, to help achieve green, low-carbon, efficient, safe and high-quality sustainable development.”

Topsoe’s selection serves to address the rapidly growing demand for SAF. As cited by the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Scenario, over 10% of fuel consumption in aviation needs to be SAF by 2030 to stay on course for net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. In 2022, the International Air Transport Association estimated global SAF production to make up only around 0.1% to 0.15% of total jet fuel demand.

About HydroFlex™
With HydroFlex™, customers can convert various fats, oils and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel that meet all globally accepted specifications for these fuels. Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ can be deployed in both grassroots units and revamps for co-processing or fully renewable applications.

About Guangxi Free Trade Zone Hongkun Biomass Fuel Co., Ltd.
Guangxi Free Trade Zone Hongkun Biomass Fuel Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Guangxi Hongkun Energy Group Co., Ltd., located in Guangxi province Qinzhou Petrochemical Industry Park, which is a professional large-scale biomass energy enterprise using waste oil to produce HVO and SAF. The company is currently one of the largest production bases of SAF in China, with a total investment of 3.5 billion yuan, covering an area of 430 mu, creating 600 new jobs, and achieving an annual output value of 9.8 billion RMB after the project is completed and officially put into production and operation.

About Topsoe
Topsoe is a leading global provider of technology and solutions for the energy transition. We combat climate change by helping our customers and partners achieve their decarbonization and emission reduction goals. 

Based on decades of scientific research and innovation, we offer world-leading solutions for transforming renewable resources into fuels and chemicals for a sustainable world, and for efficient and low-carbon fuel production and clean air.

We were founded in 1940 and are headquartered in Denmark, with over 2,800 employees serving customers all around the globe. To learn more, visit www.topsoe.com.

For more information, please contact: 
Ulrik Frøhlke, Media Relations Manager
Phone: +45 27 77 99 68 
Mail: ulfr@topsoe.com