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    Sustainable aviation fuel

    Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

    Fasten your seatbelts. The take-off for cleaner skies starts now with our Sustainable Aviation Fuel solutions.
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    With an innovative approach and a range of proven technologies, we are here to help you produce SAF.

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    Over 1/3 of the current renewable diesel and SAF operating capacity is based on Topsoe technology*.

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    A track-record of developing innovative solutions for clean fuels from renewable feedstocks since 2004.

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    We invest 9% of our annual revenue in research and development (R&D).

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    Our market leading TK-930 D-wax™ catalyst enables SAF production through co-processing.

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    What is sustainable aviation fuel?

    Sustainable aviation fuel (commonly abbreviated to SAF) is a renewable fuel that can directly replace the conventional fuel used mainly in aviation today and bring down current carbon emissions from air travel. 

    Because SAF can be used directly in existing aircrafts as a direct replacement for conventional fuel, this fuel is an easy and essential short-term decarbonization measure that will help aviation decarbonize immediately. 

    SAF is produced with a blend of conventional kerosene (fossil-based) and renewable hydrocarbons and can be produced from a variety of different renewable feedstocks. These include virgin oils, waste oils and fats, solid biomass, CO2, and water and renewable energy via green hydrogen. 

    SAF Special #1 of 3
    PODCAST

    SAF Special #1 of 3: SAF in 2025: Are we still sitting on the runway?

    In the first of our three-part SAF Specials, The Fuel for Thought Podcast Season 7 opens with Patrick Edmond, Chief Marketing Officer at Future Energy Global. We discuss the market realities holding SAF back, the potential of demand aggregation to unlock supply and the role of policy, finance and communication in accelerating adoption. 

     

    Listen here



    The demand for SAF is growing rapidly and we need production to keep up! If the airline sector is to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) estimates that we will need an annual of amount of 120 billion gallons of SAF by this year. But in comparison, production in 2022 was estimated at mere 75 million gallons.

    With production and delivery times comparable to those of current aviation fuels, and the opportunity to utilize existing infrastructure, SAF offers the main solution for decarbonization in the near term. On top of this, SAF is expected to continue to be a viable option in the long term even as other solutions become available.

    Decarbonize. Flight by flight

    Cutting emissions from the aviation industry is essential to reach our net zero goal. The CO2 emitted from conventional fossil fuels adds to the CO2 already present in the atmosphere. But the CO2 generated during combustion of fuels based on renewable sources, has been removed from the air due to photosynthesis hence balancing out for the new emissions created. 

    This makes SAF a crucial part of the solution and a must for low-carbon travel, and currently the most promising pathway to decarbonize aviation.

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    Your co-pilot

    We’re here to help you! We offer a range of proven and ready technologies that can help you produce SAF, so you can turn your sustainable ambitions into sustainable business.

    New venture!

    Zaffra
    Press release

    Sasol and Topsoe launch Zaffra

    Sasol, the global chemicals and energy company, and Topsoe, leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, announced the successful launch of their joint venture, Zaffra. With its headquarters based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Zaffra is set to become a key player in the aviation industry, focusing on the development and delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

    Read more

    Take the right route: SAF pathways overview

    There is a total of 11 approved routes to SAF – 8 regular routes and 3 co-processing routes – each representing their set of opportunities and challenges. Below is an overview of the current routes to SAF. 

     

    Whatever the feedstock you are looking to process, we have the technology to support your business. So have your pick: waste and virgin oils, biomass, renewable energy, and captured CO2, you can achieve a low-carbon jet fuel with high yields and a high market value with any of these. 

    You decide when to start, and we can help you identify the best pathway and scope for your regional and site-specific attributes, including feedstock, utilities, co-location, as well as regulatory demands of the market you target. Our technologies can support you at any point on the scale, whether you’re looking to build a new plant, conduct a revamp of an existing plant or use your existing set-up with minor modifications. 

    Only the sky is the limit.

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    Our routes to SAF

    Below is the list of our technologies that can help you kickstart your SAF production.

    HydroFlex™

    Choose a feedstock flexible solution that can utilize waste oils and fats, oilseeds, or a variety of solid feedstocks, and is designed for ... Learn More

    Co-processing – the fast-track to SAF production

    By replacing the fossil feedstock in your existing kerosene hydrotreater with 5% renewable feedstock, you can bring sustainable aviation fuel to the market in record time.

     Learn More
    G2L™ e-fuels

    Create e-fuels, including eSAF, from green hydrogen, and CO2 (via carbon capture). This is a proven process to help you optimize performance, minimize carbon footprint, and improve ... Learn More

    G2L™ Biofuels

    Go the synthetic- and gas-based route! Combine our hydroprocessing technologies with Sasol’s LTFT™ technology to make Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). 

     Learn More
    Biofuels Trends A 2024 Outlook

    Upcoming routes to SAF on the horizon

    We’re always looking to discover new routes for SAF. Below two routes are currently in our development pipeline and will help soar SAF production to new heights in the future!

    Methanol-to-jet (MTJet™)

    Looking to produce eJet fuel from renewable electricity, water, and CO2? Our MTJet™ technology offers an ... Learn more

    Alcohol-to-jet (ATJ)

    Use alcohol to produce eSAF through the ethanol-to-jet process! We’re targeting a solution that delivers high SAF yields to minimize feedstock contribution to the levelized cost of SAF. 

     Learn More

    Highlights

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    Customer case

    Montana Renewables converts extra refinery capacity to SAF production

    We've talked to the CEO of Montana Renewables, Bruce Fleming, to get the full story on how the Great Falls-based refinery became the largest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer in the Western Hemisphere. The key to their success was leveraging idle hydrotreater capacity and turning it into a renewable fuels opportunity.
    Get full details
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    Video

    SAF Talks™

    To fuel knowledge sharing of what it'll take to scale-up SAF, we've composed a new season of SAF Talks™. In these videos, leading figures from across the SAF value chain share their latest insights and developments.
    Watch video
    Mixed Catalysts
    Expert article

    Catalyst selection holds the key to flexible, efficient SAF and renewables production

    For over a century, refineries have mastered the art of processing fossil fuels. However, the emerging field of converting renewable feedstocks into transportation fuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), presents some novel technical challenges. Catalyst selection plays a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles.
    Get full details

    Related solutions

    The HydroFlex™ technology converts a wide variety of renewable feedstocks into transportation fuels_-May-02-2025-05-50-23-5848-PM

    Renewable fuels

    Diversify your production! With HydroFlex™ technology, renewable and non-renewable feedstocks thrive side by side.

    Conventional fuels-1

    Conventional fuels

    Maximize your diesel, gasoline and jet fuel production with our cutting-edge hydroprocessing solutions for all crude-oil fractions.

    G2LTM technology

    e-Fuels

    Set the future in motion with today’s technologies. We offer a wide range of proven solutions for the production of e-fuels.

    Hydrogen learn more

    Hydrogen

    A key enabler in the global energy transition. Our extensive experience guarantees the scalability and economic viability of your hydrogen project.

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    Contact us

    Do you have a question about our products or solutions? Or do you want to know how our technologies can support your business? Contact our experts today.

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    Sources

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    *Calculation is based on operating renewable diesel and SAF production units registered in BNEF Global Renewable Fuel Projects Tracker (taken from Topsoe Annual report 2023)