Topsoe and Sasol to Provide E-Fuels Tech for German eSAF Plant
- The Leuna plant will produce 2500 tons of e-fuels annually by Q4 2027.
- The project is funded with €130 million from Germany's BMDV.
- Construction began on October 1, 2024, at the Leuna Chemical Complex.
- The plant will use renewable feedstock like biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen.
Project Overview
Topsoe and Sasol have been chosen to supply their G2L™ e-fuels technology for the German Aerospace Center's Technology Platform Power-to-Liquid Fuels at the Leuna Chemical Complex. The plant aims to produce 2500 tons of e-fuels annually, primarily sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), for research purposes.
Funding and Timeline
The project has secured €130 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV). Construction of the facility began on October 1, 2024, with commissioning expected in Q4 2027.
Technological Integration
The demonstration plant will integrate Topsoe's eREACT™ and hydroprocessing technology with Sasol's LTFT™ technology. This setup will be part of the DLR's e-fuels Technology Platform Power-to-Liquid Fuels, designed to test and demonstrate electricity-based fuels across the entire technology chain.
Research and Development Goals
The facility's modular design allows for the analysis of different processes and technologies, aiming to optimize e-fuel production and properties. The plant will use renewable feedstock, including biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen, to further develop technologies for scaling to industrial levels.
Engineering and Construction
Griesemann Gruppe has been selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project. The plant is expected to be the world's largest research facility for e-fuels production, focusing on advancing the fuel transition and showcasing the benefits of SAF-fueled flight.
Source: Sasol