Topsoe, Sasol to deliver technology for German eSAF plant
Topsoe and Sasol have been chosen to supply their cutting-edge G2L™ e-fuels technology for the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) eSAF demonstration plant, set to become the world’s largest research facility for e-fuels. The plant, part of the Power-to-Liquid Fuels Technology Platform (TPP) at the Leuna Chemical Complex, is backed by EUR130 million (USD137) in funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
The facility, which broke ground in October 2024, is expected to produce 2,500 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually by its commissioning in late 2027. Using renewable feedstocks like green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂, the project will demonstrate technologies across the entire value chain, paving the way for scalable industrial production.
The collaboration integrates Topsoe’s eREACT™ technology and Sasol’s LTFT™ (low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch) process to optimise hydrogen utilisation, minimise the carbon footprint, and maximise production yields. Griesemann Gruppe has been selected to oversee engineering, procurement, and construction for the project.
“Alongside our long-standing partner Topsoe, we are excited to be selected to provide our G2L™ e-fuels technology, utilising our Sasol LTFT™ technology and catalyst in this groundbreaking research project, which is testament to our combined technologies. With a significant amount of funding secured, the DLR’s project is the ideal platform to demonstrate our integrated innovative technologies with the potential of industrial-scale production to drive the fuel transition forward and to showcase, in downstream programs, the further benefits of SAF-fuelled flight,” said Sarushen Pillay, executive vice president for Business Building, Strategy and Technology at Sasol.
“Innovating and demonstrating SAF production technologies is vital to increase deployment of e-fuels and eventually reaching global net-zero by 2050. We’re proud to work on this project with our trusted partner Sasol and to have been selected by DLR for this cutting-edge project that will demonstrate the potential in securing industrial-scale production to drive the fuel transition forward,” said Elena Scaltritti, chief commercial officer at Topsoe.
The plant’s modular design will allow researchers to test and refine processes, contributing to Germany’s leadership in renewable energy technologies.
What is G2L™ and eREACT™?
G2L™ (Gas-to-Liquid): A turnkey solution combining Sasol and Topsoe’s technologies to convert renewable feedstocks like hydrogen and captured CO₂ into e-fuels.
eREACT™: A novel electrified reactor technology for producing low-carbon hydrogen and fuels from various feedstocks.
The project aligns with global sustainability goals and is part of Germany’s broader renewable fuels programme, coordinated by NOW GmbH and supported by VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH.
