Ready to take-off: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will play an important role in future sustainability plans designed to reduce CO₂ emissions worldwide. The EU has already recognised this and include the increased use of SAF in its plans for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.

Several countries and companies are already using this sustainable alternative to fossil kerosene-based fuel and Haltermann Carless will be a part of this future for more environmental and climate protection. As part of our corporate strategy to develop a more sustainable portfolio of products, Haltermann Carless aspires to manufacture Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the Speyer production site in Germany from 2026 – and aspires to be the first commercial manufacturer of this product in Germany.

"Haltermann Carless aspires to be the first commercial manufacturer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Germany."

Dr. Harald Dialer, Chief Commercial Officer

Our SAF aspiration

5 facts about SAF

1. Alternative to fossil fuel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the generic term for all aviation fuels that are produced without the use of fossil raw materials such as petroleum and also meet sustainability criteria, for example to avoid competition with food production or the destruction of ecosystems through additional agricultural land use.

2. "Drop-in" aviation fuel

Liquid fuels will continue to be indispensable for aviation in the long term. SAF is a "drop-in" fuel, which means that it is a fully interchangeable substitute for fossil fuels in aircraft and does not require any changes to airport infrastructure or aircraft technology. SAF can currently be blended up to a 50/50 ratio with fossil fuels (depending on the type of SAF).

3. Different routes for SAF production

There are several certified pathways to produce SAF for use in commercial aviation. These technologies can convert a variety of feedstocks such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, biogenic carbon and green hydrogen (power-to-liquid) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

We as HCS Group are focusing on ATJ (Alcohol-to-Jet) technology and thus feedstocks for advanced biofuels from waste and residual materials.

4. Significant CO₂ reduction

As SAF is based on renewable feedstocks, carbon is continuously recycled instead of producing additional CO₂ through fossil fuels - thus closing the carbon cycle. The new generation of SAF is mainly produced from biogenic residues, for example waste-based biomass, and can save up to 85% CO₂ compared to conventional fuels. In the long term, SAF can enable almost CO₂-neutral air travel.

5. SAF is the decisive lever for Net Zero

SAF is by far the biggest lever for reducing CO2 emissions in air transport (65% of the contribution from SAF alone). The implementation of the EU and UK climate targets and mandates for the blending of SAF require substantial production volumes and thus significant investments in new manufacturing capacities:

- 5 million tonnes of SAF in 2030
- 40 million tonnes of SAF in 2050

Located in the middle of Europe, directly on the Rhine river and not far from Frankfurt Airport - Haltermann Carless' production site in Speyer, Germany, is ideally suited for the manufacturing of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Our investment project targets to produce in a first step around 60,000 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable hydrocarbons annually from the beginning of 2026. In addition, the hydrogenation unit will supply the market with a portfolio of certified renewable drop-in fuels and speciality chemicals.

The hydrogenation unit offers the ideal foundation for the plant utilising waste and residue feedstocks certified according to the European Renewable Energy Directive RED II.

In addition to our products, we also have also implement our sustainability standards at the manufacturing site itself, for example with electricity that comes from certified renewable sources.

Learn more about Haltermann Carless' hydrogenation unit at the production site in Speyer, Germany.

Interesting facts about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

The aviation industry is responsible for 2 - 3 % of global CO₂ emissions.
The first test flight with SAF took off in 2008.
SAF provides the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 %.
SAF leads to a significant reduction in soot particles compared to conventional kerosine.
Scheduled flights using alternative aviation fuel are visible on an ICAO map in real time: Flight Tracker - Live Flight Tracking - Plane Finder.

We can offer our customers the expertise and infrastructure to turn sustainable ideas into success:

Long-term expertise in the production of biofuels.
A broad and expanding product portfolio made from renewable raw materials.
Production sites in Harwich, Hamburg and Speyer with excellent logistical links to all transport infrastructures providing for fast, worldwide delivery.
Certified, modern research and development laboratories,
Expanding technical capabilities to enable further sustainable offerings with our new hydrogenation unit in Speyer.
The introduction of a dedicated Corporate Development & Sustainability department with sustainability specialists shows that we are on the cutting edge.
Our EcoVadis Gold award prove our sustainability efforts.
Our partnership approach to customer relations help to deliver individualised, sustainable solutions.

We aspire to be the first commercial SAF producer in Germany and have the best foundation:

We have been fuel experts since 1893

With Carless' invention of "Petrol" in 1893, we look back on a very long tradition in fuels production.

Being a pioneer is in our business

Our founding father Haltermann refined crude tar from the Hamburg (Germany) gas works and became a pioneer in the development of hydrocarbon specialities. At the same time, in the late 19th century, Carless, Capel & Leonard was the leading British source of highly refined fuel.

We have experience with being sustainable

Our expertise and experience is reflected in our growing sustainable product portfolio - from bio-based fuels to sustainable hydrocarbons and chemicals, products that provide our customers with sustainable alternatives and deliver significant reductions in GHG emissions.

We put our minds to work

We put our ideas into practice by investing in modern technologies and the latest equipment to enable our sustainability transition. Our new hydrogenation plant and the supply of certified electricity from renewable sources are just a few examples.

For us, sustainability is not a trend,

but a social responsibility and a business imperative. Back in the early 1990s, we were one of the first medium-sized chemical companies to introduce the principles and practices of the Responsible Care programme and since then, we have been implementing sustainability step by step in all areas.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production routes:

Fischer-Tropsch process (Biomass-to-Liquid - BTL):
With this large-scale method, any carbon-rich material can be used. It is therefore particularly suitable for processing biomass from which paraffin can be produced.

Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) process:
In this technology, alcohol is produced from plant-based, predominantly sugar-containing materials. This alcohol is then dehydrated and converted into paraffin via standard refinery processes.

Power-to-Liquid (PTL) technology:
Renewable energy from the sun, water or wind, CO₂ and water can be used to produce a synthetic gas, which in turn is used to produce liquid paraffin through synthesis and fractionation in a Fischer-Tropsch plant.

Sun-to-Liquid Technology:
In this technology, sunlight plays the decisive role - in a solar reactor, concentrated solar rays split a metal oxide into metal and oxygen ions. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are then added to form the synthetic gas, which is then converted into alternative paraffin using the Fischer-Tropsch process.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO) process:
Hydrogenated vegetable oils or HVOs are vegetable oils that are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen (hydrogenation). HVOs can be used as an admixture in fuels or can replace them completely.

HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) methodology:
In this process, SAF is produced on the basis of esters and fatty acids. The fats and oils, consisting for example of used fats or food waste, are first hydrogenated. The resulting oil can be refined into paraffin in a similar way to crude oil.

Important elements in regards to the SAF topic include

Fit for 55 initiative
The Climate Action Plan for 2030 is a catalogue of measures, reforms, new directives and regulations aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU by 55 % by 2030.
ReFuelEU Aviation initiative
A series of proposed initiatives aimed at boosting the supply and demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel through changes in taxation, mandates and supply obligations. More information on the ReFuelEU aviation initiative.
Classification of feedstocks for the production of SAF according to the Renewable Energy Directive.

Further sustainability efforts take effect

Back in 2016, the member states of the UN aviation organisation ICAO adopted a global CO₂ compensation scheme for aviation in Montreal: CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also formulated high sustainability goals for the aviation industry in its "Way Point 2050".
In the meantime, the topic is not only being driven forward by politics and industry. Passengers also support the efforts and are willing to pay a higher price for reduced-emission flights.

Sustainable
Aviation Fuel
(SAF)

Ready to take-off: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Our SAF aspiration

5 facts about SAF

Contact

Speyer – the production site for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Interesting facts about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

Our strategic path to greater sustainability

"Our future SAF production illustrates our ambition to remain a steady pioneer in the field of high-quality hydrocarbons while making a tangible contribution to defossilisation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Pioneer – being a forerunner is our heritage

We have experience with being sustainable

We put our minds to work

For us, sustainability is not a trend,

Different routes to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Power-to-Liquid (PTL) technology:
Renewable energy from the sun, water or wind, CO₂ and water can be used to produce a synthetic gas, which in turn is used to produce liquid paraffin through synthesis and fractionation in a Fischer-Tropsch plant.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO) process:
Hydrogenated vegetable oils or HVOs are vegetable oils that are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen (hydrogenation). HVOs can be used as an admixture in fuels or can replace them completely.

The aviation market demands climate protection

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) serves the market requirements excellently:

European Green Deal

Further sustainability efforts take effect

SustainableAviation Fuel(SAF)

Ready to take-off: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Our SAF aspiration

5 facts about SAF

Contact

Speyer – the production site for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Interesting facts about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

Our strategic path to greater sustainability

"Our future SAF production illustrates our ambition to remain a steady pioneer in the field of high-quality hydrocarbons while making a tangible contribution to defossilisation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Pioneer – being a forerunner is our heritage

We have experience with being sustainable

We put our minds to work

For us, sustainability is not a trend,

Different routes to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Power-to-Liquid (PTL) technology: Renewable energy from the sun, water or wind, CO2 and water can be used to produce a synthetic gas, which in turn is used to produce liquid paraffin through synthesis and fractionation in a Fischer-Tropsch plant.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO) process:Hydrogenated vegetable oils or HVOs are vegetable oils that are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen (hydrogenation). HVOs can be used as an admixture in fuels or can replace them completely.

The aviation market demands climate protection

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) serves the market requirements excellently:

European Green Deal

Further sustainability efforts take effect

Sustainable
Aviation Fuel
(SAF)

Power-to-Liquid (PTL) technology:
Renewable energy from the sun, water or wind, CO₂ and water can be used to produce a synthetic gas, which in turn is used to produce liquid paraffin through synthesis and fractionation in a Fischer-Tropsch plant.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO) process:
Hydrogenated vegetable oils or HVOs are vegetable oils that are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen (hydrogenation). HVOs can be used as an admixture in fuels or can replace them completely.