Metafuels AG, a Swiss aviation technology firm, has entered into an agreement with European Energy to establish a synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility near Padborg in southern Denmark.

The upcoming facility will be built next to a forthcoming Power-to-X facility by European Energy. It will have the capacity to manufacture approximately 12,000 liters of eSAF per day.

"European Energy is a pivotal collaborator for us as we strive to translate the concept of eSAF into tangible results. This has the potential to significantly reduce emissions in the aviation industry, a sector notoriously challenging to decarbonize. It marks a significant milestone in our progress and represents a tangible move toward cost-effective eSAF replacing kerosene and its positive environmental impact," stated Saurabh Kapoor, CEO of Metafuels.

This facility forms part of a larger endeavor to meet the aviation industry's climate objectives under the European Union's RefuelEU Aviation initiative and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Metafuels' scalable aerobrew technology converts sustainably derived methanol into jet fuel. With its impressive energy efficiency, this technology achieves exceptional carbon conversion into jet fuel, leading to a remarkable 90% decrease in lifecycle emissions compared to standard jet fuel. Being a drop-in fuel, it eliminates the need for aircraft re-engineering or repurchasing and seamlessly integrates into current fueling infrastructure.

At present, European Energy is in the process of developing a Power-to-X facility in Padborg. The envisioned plan for the facility entails it having an output exceeding three times that of the existing Power-to-X facility in Kassø, also built by European Energy.

" Reducing the ecological impact of aviation fuels through renewable energy is a crucial element of the shift towards sustainability. With the aviation sector contributing over 2 percent of global CO2 emissions, utilizing green methanol for the production of sustainable aviation fuel holds considerable potential for decarbonization," stated Emil Vikjær-Andresen, EVP and Head of Power-to-X at European Energy.

The rationale for such technology is evident. The aviation sector is responsible for more than 2% of global CO2 emissions, totaling around 800 million tonnes. This figure doesn't include the emissions of other greenhouse gases and intricate climate factors associated with the nature and altitude of these emissions. Considering their combined effect on global warming, the aviation industry contributes to roughly 3.5% of the overall total.

Metafuels, headquartered in Zurich, specializes in developing and implementing proprietary sustainable fuel technologies, initially focusing on synthetic aviation fuel. Positioned to tackle one of the most formidable sectors contributing to global warming, Metafuels targets the aviation industry, which has historically accounted for approximately 3.5% of effective radiative forcing. The company aims to create and introduce sustainable aviation fuels that seamlessly integrate with existing aircraft and aviation logistics infrastructure, eliminating the need for reengineering or repurchasing.

Established in 2004, European Energy specializes in the development of solar and wind farms, along with Power-to-X solutions, contributing to the global shift towards sustainability. Operating in 28 countries with a workforce of over 700 employees, European Energy is currently building the largest e-methanol facility in Kassø, Denmark, and maintains a robust pipeline of renewable projects totaling over 60 GW.