Turbe eSAF Project Rotterdam: scaling up sustainable aviation fuel

Sustainable aviation fuel plays an important role in reducing CO₂ emissions from aviation. However, the availability of used cooking oil, which is currently widely used to produce sustainable aviation fuel, is limited. New, scalable production routes are therefore needed. To address this, Metafuels developed its aerobrew technology, which converts e-methanol – produced from captured sustainable CO₂ and renewable hydrogen – into synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF). Following laboratory research, pilot-scale validation and a demonstration plant, the next step is to deploy this technology in an industrial environment in the Port of Rotterdam.

Objective

The aim of the study is to carry out a Front-End Loading stage 3 (FEL 3) study for the development of an eSAF production facility with a capacity of approximately 10 tonnes per day at the Evos Rotterdam site. The work will provide all the information required to make a well-founded investment decision on the construction, commissioning and operation of the facility. In addition, the project aims to contribute to cost-effective CO₂ reduction and the further scale-up of synthetic sustainable aviation fuel production.

Activities

The FEL 3 study consists of several workstreams covering project management, engineering, commercial aspects, finance and societal integration. Metafuels is carrying out the study together with project partners, including Evos Rotterdam, engineering firms and permitting specialists. The technical work includes developing the facility design, the required connections and safety aspects.

Results

The study will deliver all the documents and information required for a final investment decision. If the decision is positive, the study will provide the basis for the development of the eSAF production facility in the Port of Rotterdam.

In addition, the project aims to pave the way for a follow-up facility at the same location with ten times the production capacity. This will enable the technology to be scaled up further and contribute to the development of the Netherlands as a production location for synthetic sustainable aviation fuel.

The Turbe eSAF Project consortium

The project is being carried out by Metafuels Nederland B.V., in collaboration with Evos Rotterdam, engineering partners and permitting specialists, among others.