Germany is stepping up its commitment to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with an ambitious project that combines green hydrogen, carbon capture, and cutting-edge Fischer Tropsch (FT) technology. The collaboration between Johnson Matthey (JM) and bp has marked a significant milestone by having EDL Anlagenbau Gesellschaft select their FT CANS technology for the HyKero plant in Böhlen-Lippendorf, Germany.
The HyKero plant is set to become Germany’s first commercial-scale facility producing 50,000 metric tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually. What makes this project even more exciting is the inclusion of eSAF, a type of SAF produced through power-to-liquids (PtL) technology. PtL entails converting renewable electricity and carbon dioxide into sustainable liquid fuels. Currently, international SAF certification mandates blending it with fossil kerosene. After blending, the HyKero plant’s SAF production capacity equates to fuel for over 1,000 transatlantic flights annually.
This strategic plant is located to serve the Leipzig-Halle international airport and will come online by 2027. EDL’s subsidiary, XFuels HyKero GmbH, will oversee the project’s realization and plant operations. There’s even room for expansion, with a potential future phase aiming to add another 75,000 metric tons of eSAF capacity per year.
Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director of CT Licensing at Johnson Matthey, underlined their commitment to decarbonization. He expressed excitement about EDL’s choice of their FT CANS technology, which was developed in collaboration with bp. This technology will supply airlines with sustainable aviation fuel, facilitating its use in existing fleets. Projects like the HyKero plant are pivotal in increasing SAF production as the aviation industry strives to reach net-zero emissions.
Noemie Turner, VP of Technology Development & Commercialization at bp, echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting that the FT CANS technology enables the commercial-scale production of sustainable aviation fuels. The partnership between bp and Johnson Matthey ensures that EDL has access to innovative technology designed to catalyze the transition towards cleaner aviation.
Dr. Michael Haid, CEO at EDL and XFuels HyKero, expressed pride in using the FT CANS technology, emphasizing its role in defossilizing Germany’s aviation sector. By using this technology, the HyKero plant is poised to convert sustainable carbon sources such as bio-methane, renewable power, and carbon dioxide into eSAF, a vital step towards reducing the carbon footprint of aviation.
