Honeywell announced that Verso Energy will deploy its eFining methanol-to-jet processing technology to scale eSAF production at seven planned facilities across France, Finland and the United States, marking a significant step in expanding global eSAF capacity.
The collaboration is aimed at accelerating commercialization of electro-sustainable aviation fuel while reducing capital costs and speeding up project timelines.
Honeywell confirmed that Verso Energy, an integrated energy company focused on producing low-carbon molecules, will use Honeywell UOP’s eFining methanol-to-jet processing technology to produce eSAF at its upcoming production sites.
The deployment of this advanced processing technology is expected to support the rapid expansion of eSAF production in line with rising global demand and regulatory mandates.
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eSAF Production: Drop-in Replacement Sans Modifications to Aircraft Engines
Honeywell’s eFining technology uses carbon dioxide from biological sources, renewable power and hydrogen to produce a range of electrofuels (eFuels), including eSAF.
When blended with conventional jet fuel, eSAF acts as a drop-in replacement that does not require modifications to aircraft engines or existing fuel infrastructure. According to the company, eSAF can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 88% compared to conventional jet fuel.
“Efficient and cost-effective eSAF production will be crucial for helping airlines comply with regional adoption requirements,” said Antoine Huard, CEO of Verso Energy.
“Honeywell’s proven SAF technology paired with our standardized design approach will enable us to quickly scale production capabilities and bring additional eSAF to the market sooner, helping to meet growing global demand.”
The demand outlook for eSAF is projected to strengthen further under the European Union’s ReFuel EU initiative, which mandates that aviation fuel supply must include at least 35% eSAF by 2050.
By implementing Honeywell’s eFining technology, Verso Energy expects to optimize production efficiency and deliver approximately 200 million gallons of eSAF annually across its seven planned facilities.
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“Honeywell’s innovative SAF technology portfolio is designed to address two of the biggest challenges in renewable fuel production – cost and feedstock availability,” said Barry Glickman, Vice President of Honeywell Low Carbon Energy.
“With our eFining technology, companies like Verso Energy can use abundant carbon dioxide as feedstock, making eSAF production scalable and less carbon intensive.
Continued advancements in Honeywell’s process technology are addressing the cost premium associated with renewable fuels by improving plant size and cost, production efficiency, utility consumption and project timelines.”
Verso Energy has also received support through EU Innovation Fund Awards for the development of its first two eSAF projects, DEZiR and ReSTart. These facilities are expected to be among the first large-scale plants in Europe dedicated exclusively to eSAF production.
The DEZiR project has additionally secured funding from the French government and is positioned to deliver early volumes of eSAF when operations commence in 2030.
The planned projects in France, Finland and the United States are expected to contribute significantly to global eSAF supply expansion, supporting aviation sector decarbonization efforts while advancing scalable and commercially viable renewable fuel production.
