The aviation industry is responsible for roughly 12% of all transport emissions. Finding ways to reduce its carbon footprint is one of the biggest challenges facing the energy transition and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a promising possibility.

SAF is key to decarbonising the aviation sector, which is widely viewed as one of the most challenging sectors in which to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SAF production employs a Power to Liquid (PTL) process, which relies on the supply of a sustainable carbon feedstock (biomass or other unavoidable industrial carbon dioxide sources) and the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis using renewable energy. The carbon and hydrogen are converted to synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which in turn is converted to longer chain hydrocarbons for the production of jet fuel or SAF via the FT process.

Introducing the HyshiFT Consortium

HyshiFT Consortium is a global collective of partners working together to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel, known as E-Kerosene. The four stakeholders are Linde, Sasol, Enertrag, and Hydregen – are all part of the same story, which is a collaboration to create and use green hydrogen for the production of aviation (jet) fuel. Each partner contributes their own expertise within the renewable sector: Enertrag produces renewable power from wind and solar resources, Linde produces green hydrogen and Sasol converts these two inputs into green aviation fuel through its FT reactor.

The type of sustainable aviation fuel that the Consortium will produce is know as PTL- Kerosene. This fuel aims in future to provide the aviation industry with a sustainable fuel source. The aviation industry – especially long-haul flights – do not currently have feasible carbon neutral energy solutions and producing a sustainable liquid fuel (PtL Kerosene) is hence deemed as the only current feasible approach. HyshiFT’s target is to produce 50,000 tons/day of PtL Kerosene, which could fuel 2 flights between Germany and South Africa per day.

Linde has a long history of producing, processing, storing and distributing hydrogen: our founder, Carl von Linde, co-developed a method for producing hydrogen in the early 20th century, known as the Linde-Frank-Caro process. In this project, we will be responsible for the production of green hydrogen through a 200MW electrolysis system.

Sasol is a global chemicals and energy company. We harness our knowledge and expertise to integrate sophisticated technologies and processes into world-scale facilities. Our leadership in FT technology enables us to play an important role globally in the decarbonisation of multiple industries

HYDREGEN Energy (Pty) Ltd., (Hydregen) is an 80% black owned and controlled South African company, established to develop and invest in green hydrogen infrastructure and projects focused on the food-energy-water nexus and the just energy transition in South Africa. The company’s shareholders have played a leading role in South Africa’s renewable energy and green hydrogen sectors.