Swiss startup chooses Rotterdam for green aviation fuel plant
Metafuels will build a sustainable aviation fuels plant in the port of Rotterdam.
Published on May 16, 2025
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Swiss tech startup Metafuels is establishing its first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Rotterdam, reports TNW. This new facility will use Metafuels' innovative 'aerobrew' technology to convert renewable methanol into jet fuel, resulting in emissions up to 90% lower than conventional jet fuel.
Aerobrew, Metafuels' proprietary technology, revolutionizes the conversion of green methanol into jet fuel in an environmentally efficient manner. Green methanol is synthesized from green hydrogen and carbon oxides (CO/CO2), which are sourced renewably and used to produce a more sustainable aviation fuel. The aerobrew process boasts scalability and high energy efficiency, providing airlines with a viable option to significantly lower their carbon footprints without altering existing aircraft or airport infrastructures. Through the use of advanced catalytic systems, developed in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institut, aerobrew ensures reduced lifecycle emissions—up to 90% lower than traditional jet fuels.
The plant
Metafuels' strategic decision to establish its first large-scale SAF plant in Rotterdam highlights a pivotal moment for sustainable aviation fuel production in Europe. The Rotterdam plant, named Turbe, will be integrated into Evos' existing storage terminal, enabling significant methanol storage capacity and robust logistical infrastructure. This plant aims to produce 12,000 liters of SAF per day initially, with a future goal to scale production tenfold. The collaboration between Metafuels and Evos taps into Rotterdam's critical role as a major transshipment port, facilitating access to renewable methanol from diverse sources, including biomethanol and e-methanol.
According to Metafuels CEO Saurabh Kapoor, the plant aligns with Europe's ambitious decarbonization targets by providing scalable SAF production, a crucial component for aviation to meet future environmental mandates. Despite the promising technology, the SAF market still represents a small fraction of global aviation fuel usage, with only 0.53% of fuel use in 2024 accounted for by SAF. The EU's target for 70% SAF usage by 2050 emphasizes the necessity for projects like Turbe to succeed and expand production capabilities.
