Euro drop-in SAF factory deal agreed
Latvia-based NorSAF has signed a license agreement with chemical engineering firm KBR for the deployment of PureSAF technology,
PureSAF was originally invented and developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and licensed to KBR for commercial deployment. The new agreement grants NorSAF exclusivity to use the technology, and potentially developing Europe’s first commercial-scale facility capable of producing 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF/eSAF).
Unlike traditional sustainable aviation fuels that must be blended with conventional fossil kerosene to safely lubricate and seal aircraft engine components, a 100% drop-in fuel is unique because its chemical composition completely mimics fossil jet fuel, allowing it to power existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure at full strength without any modifications.
While current PureSAF certification allows for a 50/50 blend with fossil kerosene, regulatory approval for the fuel to be used at 100% drop-in capacity in Europe is currently underway and is anticipated by industry participants in 2026 subject to applicable certification approvals by ASTM.
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The planned location for the NorSAF project is the Port of Liepaja, Latvia. If built, it will produce both SAF from advanced bioethanol and eSAF, a synthetic fuel made from green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂. Greenhouse gas emissions from the proposed production process are projected by project leaders to drop by approximately 83% compared to conventional jet fuel production. The intent is to source all feedstocks within Europe to strengthen the continent’s energy independence and industrial resilience.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with KBR to bring PureSAF technology to Europe,” said Jānis Kisiels, Board Member of NorSAF. “Recent global events have underscored that energy sovereignty is no longer just an economic goal, but a matter of national and regional security. By producing a sustainable, 100% drop-in fuels at scale using local, European-sourced feedstocks, we are building a resilient, self-sufficient energy ecosystem that reduces our dependence on external fossil fuel markets and strengthens Europe’s industrial backbone.”
NorSAF is a sustainable fuel developer based in Latvia and the world’s largest ACMI provider, Avia Solutions Group, is acting as a partner on the project. NorSAF will benefit from access to the Group’s aviation infrastructure, including its subsidiary Baltic Ground Services, which has extensive experience in SAF supply and distribution
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