Topsoe and Sasol Chosen to Provide E-Fuels Tech for eSAF Demo Plant in Germany
- 05-Dec-2024 5:00 AM
- Journalist: Francis Stokes
Topsoe, a leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, and Sasol, a global expert in Fischer-Tropsch technologies, have been chosen to provide key technologies for the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) demonstration plant for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. The duo will deliver their G2L™ (Gas to Liquid) e-fuels technology, combining Topsoe’s eREACT™ and hydroprocessing technologies with Sasol’s LTFT™ (Low-Temperature Fischer-Tropsch) technology. This project will be part of DLR’s Power-to-Liquid Fuels (TPP) Technology Platform, located at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany.
The TPP facility, set to begin construction on October 1, 2024, is poised to become the world’s largest research facility for e-fuels production. It will be the first facility where electricity-based fuels can be demonstrated and tested across the entire technology chain. Its modular design will allow various processes and technologies to be evaluated. The plant’s objective is to optimize e-fuel production and properties while advancing technologies that can scale to industrial levels.
Once completed in Q4 2027, the plant will produce 2,500 tons of e-fuels annually, primarily SAF, using renewable feedstocks such as biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen. Griesemann Gruppe has been selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the facility.
Sarushen Pillay, Executive Vice President at Sasol, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting its potential to demonstrate the capabilities of their G2L™ and Sasol LTFT™ technologies at industrial scales. He emphasized that the project’s significant funding makes it an ideal platform for advancing the transition to sustainable aviation fuels and showcasing the benefits of SAF-fueled flight.
Elena Scaltritti, CCO at Topsoe, reiterated the importance of innovating SAF production technologies to meet global net-zero targets by 2050. She emphasized the company’s pride in partnering with Sasol on this cutting-edge project and in being selected by DLR to demonstrate the potential for industrial-scale SAF production.
The TPP project is supported by €130 million in funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, as part of the Renewable Fuels Funding Program. The funding is managed by NOW GmbH and coordinated with the project management agency VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH. This initiative marks a significant step forward in advancing sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation sector.
eREACT™ is an innovative technology designed for the production of low-carbon hydrogen and fuels. At its core is a cutting-edge electrified reactor that can transform various feedstocks into low-carbon hydrogen, chemicals, or fuels.
The G2L™ e-fuels process offers a comprehensive, end-to-end Single Point Licensing solution for converting renewable feedstocks, such as captured CO2 and hydrogen, into e-fuels. It integrates and combines the technologies from Topsoe and Sasol to optimize hydrogen use, reduce carbon emissions, increase yields, and deliver a reliable solution. This entire process is fully supported by Sasol and Topsoe under a Single Point License.