Metafuels Announces Plans for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in the Netherlands
Swiss Sustainable Aviation Fuel startup selects the Port of Rotterdam for new fuel plant
In a significant step for sustainable aviation, Swiss tech startup Metafuels has announced plans to establish its first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in the Port of Rotterdam. This move underscores the Netherlands’ reputation as hub for sustainable innovation in aviation fuels.
Metafuels’ CEO Saurabh Kapoor has said that this new facility, named Turbe, represents a “major step forward” toward ramping up SAF production. The startup also announced plans to build a similar facility in Denmark last year.
The facility will be built in partnership with liquid energy storage provider Evos. Turbe will be integrated into Evos’ existing Rotterdam terminal, which provides access to the infrastructure needed to store green methanol in large quantities.
Welcome addition to Dutch Chemical Cluster
Metafuels’ establishment makes a welcome addition to the existing chemical cluster in the Netherlands, which already has deep expertise in biorefining, helping to make the cluster more sustainable.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO Port of Rotterdam, said: “We are delighted that Metafuels, as an innovative producer of e-SAF, has chosen Rotterdam for the development of a new production facility. This development contributes to the climate goals for aviation and further strengthens Rotterdam’s position as a leading hub for renewable fuels.”
SAF technology leading to efficiencies
Metafuels’ “aerobrew” technology converts renewable methanol into jet fuel, using a process which delivers high energy efficiency and up to 90% lower life cycle emissions than conventional jet fuel. The resulting SAF is “drop-in ready,” requiring no changes to aircraft or airport infrastructure.
Turbe will be able to process both bio-methanol, sourced from biological waste, and e-methanol, which is made using renewable electricity and captured CO2. This adaptability allows Metafuels to respond to shifts in feedstock availability and regulatory demand.
The new site will produce 12,000 litres of SAF per day during its first phase, with ambitions to scale this tenfold in the second phase. As a reference, a Boeing 737 Max has a fuel tank capacity of around 26,000 litres, which equates to a range of around 6,570 km.
To underline the potential for growth, SAF made up only 0.53% of global aircraft fuel use in 2024. However, the European Union has ambitions to increase SAF use to 70% by 2050, which will require a significant increase in the production of the greener fuel.
Dutch SAF: a growing ecosystem
With global demand rising for sustainable solutions in the aviation industry, the Dutch chemical ecosystem is proving it’s up for the challenge, with Metafuels adding to an already established group of SAF companies that have built a presence in the Netherlands.
For example, Swiss energy commodities trader Gunvor has forged a partnership with VARO Energy, in which VARO will build a large-scale SAF manufacturing facility at Gunvor’s site in Rotterdam. Also in Rotterdam, Dutch logistics and energy company Koole Terminals is expanding its distillation capacities to triple SAF production by this year.
Meanwhile, Finland-based Neste is investing to expand capacity at its refinery operations in Rotterdam to produce greater amounts of SAF along with renewable diesel. South African Sasol and Denmark-based Topsoe are also teaming up in the Netherlands to bring SAF to market through their joint venture Zaffra.
The future of SAF in the Netherlands
Around the world, companies in the chemical sector are just beginning to explore the full possibilities of SAF in its many forms. As a country committed to sustainability and innovation, the Netherlands is a global hub for all types of operations related to producing, moving and advancing SAF.
By establishing itself in the Netherlands, Metafuels is taking one further step towards a sustainable future for all.
Source: The Next Web
16 May 2025