European Chemical Industry News & Insights

First European Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Delfzijl

At a glance
  • KLM commits to purchasing 75,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually for 10 years.
  • The plant will produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF and 15,000 tonnes of bioLPG annually from 2022.
  • The facility will use regional waste and residue streams as feedstock, achieving an 85% CO2 reduction.
  • Partners include SHV Energy, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and various other organizations.

Project Overview

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has committed to purchasing 75,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually for the next 10 years. SkyNRG will develop Europe’s first dedicated SAF production plant in Delfzijl, Netherlands, which will also produce bioLPG and naphtha using regional waste and residue streams as feedstock. The facility is scheduled to open in 2022 and aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 270,000 tonnes annually.

Environmental Impact

The plant will use sustainable hydrogen produced from water and wind energy, achieving an 85% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. The use of SAF will also significantly decrease ultra-fine particles and sulfur emissions. The project aligns with KLM’s sustainability objectives and the broader industry plan “Smart & Sustainable”.

Sustainability Standards

SkyNRG’s independent Sustainability Board, which includes representatives from WWF International, the European Climate Foundation, Solidaridad Network, and the University of Groningen, ensures that the fuel meets the highest sustainability standards. The project will not use food crops for production and will be certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

Partnerships

In addition to KLM and SHV Energy, the project involves various partners such as EIT Climate-KIC, Royal Schiphol Group, NV NOM, Groningen Seaports, Nouryon, Gasunie, Arcadis, TechnipFMC, Haldor Topsoe, Desmet Ballestra, Susteen Technologies, and MBP Solutions. These partners will contribute to different phases of the project.