Sasol and White Desert launch commercial SAF for Cape Town–Antarctica flights
- Agreement supplies the first commercial SAF volumes for Cape Town–Antarctica expeditions by White Desert.
- The partnership was announced at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit.
- Natref’s recent ISCC+ sustainability certification enabled the supply agreement.
- The SAF is produced from sustainable bio-feedstocks and positioned as a bridge to future e‑fuels enabled by green hydrogen.
Deal
Sasol will supply its first commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) volumes to White Desert for the operator’s aviation operations between Cape Town and Antarctica. The agreement was announced at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit.
Certification and feedstock
The supply is enabled by Natref’s ISCC+ sustainability certification and the SAF is produced from sustainable bio‑feedstocks. Sasol frames bio‑SAF as a stepping stone toward future e‑fuels that would be enabled by green hydrogen.
Strategic rationale
Sasol positions the deal as an example of using existing fuels infrastructure and industrial capability to transform toward lower‑carbon aviation rather than abandoning assets. The companies say these value chains can create new industrial opportunities while supporting energy security, competitiveness and decarbonisation.
Company comments
Dr Sarushen Pillay, Executive Vice President: Business Building, Strategy and Technology at Sasol, said the partnership demonstrates how sustainable fuels can move from ambition to commercial reality and that South Africa is building practical solutions connecting industrial capability, customer demand and innovation.
Patrick Woodhead, CEO and Founder of White Desert, said it is now possible to source sustainable fuel locally in South Africa with real carbon emission reductions and that the company is excited to use it on flights to Antarctica.
Source: Sasol