First SAF Plant in the Netherlands Breaks Ground, KLM Commits Nearly €3 Billion in Procurement

en.Wedoany.com Reported - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and sustainable aviation fuel company SkyNRG jointly announced the official groundbreaking of the first facility in the Netherlands dedicated to producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Developed by SkyNRG, the plant is expected to begin producing its first batch of SAF in 2028.

The launch of this project marks a critical step for the Netherlands in scaling up SAF production capacity. KLM, a co-founder of SkyNRG in 2009, has committed to purchasing at least 75,000 tonnes of SAF annually, accounting for approximately 75% of the future plant's total output. This commitment, valued at nearly €3 billion, has played a significant role in the project's feasibility. Since SkyNRG's inception, KLM has been actively involved in developing the SAF market.

KLM views SAF as one of the pathways to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the aviation industry, alongside fleet renewal and pursuing more fuel-efficient flights. Although burning SAF during flight produces CO₂ emissions comparable to fossil fuels, its total emissions over the entire lifecycle—from production to combustion—are lower. Compared to conventional kerosene, the reduction in emissions is at least 65%, and can exceed 90%.

The facility, designated DSL-01, is located in Delfzijl. SkyNRG CEO Maarten van Dijk stated that the groundbreaking proves "large-scale SAF production in the Netherlands is becoming a reality." He also emphasized that long-term commitments played a crucial role in the project's implementation. He noted: "DSL-01 is an important step in scaling up SAF production and accelerating the transition to more sustainable aviation."

Despite the plant's progress, data shows that the current price of SAF remains three to four times higher than that of fossil fuels. Therefore, scaling up production and reducing costs are seen as necessary to make this fuel more accessible and economical. The new cooperation agreement includes plans to expand the production of aviation alternative fuels and support SAF capacity in the Netherlands. The DSL-01 project is regarded as a successful example in this field, but also indicates that new initiatives are still needed to achieve the Netherlands' target of a 14% SAF blending ratio by 2030.