NorSAF signed a permanent licensing agreement with KBR to deploy PureSAF® technology in Latvia, laying the foundation for the development of a commercial sustainable aviation fuel plant capable of producing SAF and eSAF compatible with existing aviation infrastructure.
The project, planned for the Port of Liepaja, aims to become one of Northern Europe’s most significant facilities for sustainable aviation fuels.
The plant would have an estimated annual capacity of 100,000 tons of SAF/eSAF and would use European-sourced raw materials.
PureSAF will enable the production of drop-in fuel
PureSAF technology was invented and developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and is exclusively licensed by KBR for commercial deployment. Under the agreement, NorSAF gains exclusivity to use this technology in the project.
Unlike some sustainable fuels that must be blended with fossil kerosene, the drop-in concept aims to produce a fuel with a chemical composition compatible with conventional aviation fuels, requiring no modifications to aircraft, engines, or supply infrastructure.
Currently, PureSAF is certified for 50/50 blends with fossil kerosene. Regulatory approval for 100% use in Europe is ongoing and subject to the corresponding ASTM certifications.
The plant will be located in Liepaja
The proposed facility will be developed at the Port of Liepaja in Latvia. Once built, it will produce SAF from advanced bioethanol and eSAF made using green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂.
The project involves the use of renewable electricity to power the electrolysis intended to produce hydrogen.
This hydrogen would then be combined with captured carbon to form an integrated green energy cycle.
According to NorSAF, the proposed production process could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 83% compared to conventional aviation fuel.
Production planned for 2030 or 2031
KBR reported that production is planned to begin in 2030, while NorSAF indicates that the project is tentatively expected for 2031, subject to development progress, strategic partner commitments, and pre-construction phases.
In both cases, the project aligns with European Union objectives to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The ReFuelEU Aviation regulation requires a progressive incorporation of SAF, with targets reaching 70% by 2050.
The fuel produced would be supplied to European airlines, particularly in the Baltic markets, Northern Europe, and other regions of the continent.
Latvia seeks to position itself as a SAF hub
Jānis Kisiels, a member of the NorSAF Board of Directors, noted that the production of sustainable fuels compatible with conventional fuels can strengthen European energy sovereignty and reduce dependence on external fossil fuel markets.
For his part, Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, highlighted that PureSAF allows for the expansion of SAF production and offers the possibility of co-processing CO₂ and syngas in the same plant.
NorSAF is backed by Avia Solutions Group, a global ACMI service provider, and will benefit from access to aviation infrastructure and expertise in sustainable fuel distribution through Baltic Ground Services.
Source and photo: https://norsaf.com/
