Joint venture for clean jet fuel
GOAL: SASOL, TOPSOE MARRY TO CUT EMISSIONS
The idea is to look at the whole supply chain and manufacture sustainable aviation fuel.
Sasol’s joint venture with international energy research firm Topsoe has set itself the challenging goal of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the aviation industry. The stark reality is that the aviation sector is a significant source of CO2 pollution; it alone is responsible for 2% of the world’s carbon emissions.
Unfortunately, neither Sasol as a chemical and fuel producer, nor Topsoe as a research and chemical engineering company, can do much at the moment about big airline engines that produce a lot of CO2 from the moment they start up until they shut down on reaching their destination. The idea is to look at the whole supply chain of aviation fuel and reduce carbon where they can.
Jan Toschka, who was recently appointed as head of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels joint venture, says overall CO2 emissions can be reduced by manufacturing aviation fuel from sustainable feedstock – rather than from traditional fossil fuels such as coal, coal products, natural gas, crude oil, petroleum products and non-renewable wastes.
“Sustainable feed stocks could be from plant or animal materials or could also be CO2 captured from the air and combined with water and renewable electricity in very specialised processes, turned into liquid fuels that contain the same components as aviation fuels,” he says.
“However, jet fuel goes through a very rigorous accreditation process before it can become certified. Sustainable aviation fuel must have very similar chemical qualities and physical characteristics as conventional jet fuel,” says Toschka.
“To ensure technical and safety compliance, any new aviation fuel pathway must undergo strict laboratory, ground and flight tests under an internationally recognised standard.
“Sustainable aviation fuel is still blended with traditional fuel, but by using sustainable feed stocks with a lower carbon footprint, the fuel has lower net carbon emissions, making it more sustainable.”
Focused entity
Sasol and Topsoe announced their intention to create a joint venture for the manufacturing of sustainable aviation fuel in June last year, with the project ready to start in earnest following the appointment of Toschka in January.
The venture aims to combine and utilise the two parent companies’ unique innovative technologies, capabilities and industry experience to support the aviation industry in meeting its decarbonisation ambitions.
Topsoe states in company documents that sustainable aviation fuel is a reality. “Sustainable aviation fuel is no longer just an idea from clever people in lab coats. It’s a must for low-carbon travel. Our range of proven technologies is ready to produce sustainable aviation fuel,” said Topsoe.
Toschka admits that jet engines will still emit carbon when combusting the liquid fuels, but using sustainable aviation fuel will ensure that the net emissions are lower. “This is, in concept, about the circular economy.”
Over the longer term, it will take the collective efforts of the aviation industry to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions. Airplane manufacturers, airports, fuel producers and feedstock providers will have to work together to find sustainable solutions.
Multiple pathways
Toschka said the joint venture is based on the belief that using sustainable sources of carbon dioxide (ultimately captured directly from the air) and renewable energy (like wind and solar power), is one of the most sustainable and promising pathways.
“It has the potential to make a very significant impact on the aviation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.