As part of the National Aviation Conference, several companies from the energy and aviation sectors have signed an agreement for the setup of a joint initiative aimed at building potential production capacities for sustainable aviation fuels based on green H₂ (eSAF) at a suitable location in East Germany.

The global aviation sector is entering a new era driven by decarbonization. eSAF has the potential to help make aviation climate-neutral by the mid-21st century. This initiative cements Germany’s central role in the global aviation sector and as a leader in the development of innovative technologies. It would guarantee access to sustainable fuels of the future and significantly contribute to reducing aviation’s CO₂ emissions in Germany. The potential eSAF production facility will be strategically located in East Germany, to conveniently serve airports, including Leipzig/Halle.

The partners’ planning envisages an anticipated production of at least 200,000 tpy of eSAF, with the potential to scale up to 500,000 tpy. With the initially planned quantity, it is estimated that 632,000 tpy of CO₂ emissions can be reduced. The potential total reduction in CO₂ emissions could reach approximately 1.58 MMt when the project achieves its full capacity.

Among the companies collaborating on this project are the world’s largest logistics conglomerate, DHL Group, the rapidly growing German green energy company HH2E AG, and Sasol, the leading company for Fischer-Tropsch technology that enables the production of eSAF. Potentially, the leading global aircraft manufacturer Airbus will also join.

As the world’s leading logistics group, DHL Group operates an extensive express network with over 300 aircraft and maintains air cargo hubs at Leipzig/Halle Airport, Germany, in Cincinnati, U.S. and in Hong Kong. In its sustainability roadmap, the conglomerate has committed to using more than 30 % SAF blends in its air freight business by 2030. DHL Group is expected to be a significant offtaker of the eSAF produced through this joint project. The potential eSAF production facility will be strategically located in eastern Germany, ensuring convenient supply to airports, including Leipzig/Halle.

HH2E is emerging as a trailblazer in Germany’s green energy sector. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the company can transform intermittent inputs from renewable energy—especially excess power from solar and wind sources—into a consistent green H₂ output. This H₂ can subsequently be employed as a raw material for eSAF production. By 2030, HH2E intends to establish a green H₂ production capacity of 4 GW in Germany, representing a multi-billion-euro investment. HH2E has already announced plans for two major facilities: one in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and the other in Thierbach, close to Leipzig, Saxony. Additionally, the company has identified 15 prime locations across Germany for green H₂ production, with a notable focus on the eastern region.

Sasol is a global integrated chemical and energy company, renowned for its expertise in Fischer-Tropsch technology, licensing, and operations. Sasol’s Fischer-Tropsch technology is optimally tailored for the large-scale production of sustainable fuels and chemicals. This includes SAFs through the power-to-liquids process, which employs H₂ generated from renewable electricity paired with biogenic carbon dioxide from eco-friendly sources.