NorSAF and KBR sign license deal for Europe’s first 100% drop-in SAF facility

Unlike conventional sustainable aviation fuels that must be blended to at least 50 percent with conventional fossil kerosene to safely lubricate and seal aircraft engine components, a 100 percent 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 up to a 50/50 blend with fossil kerosene, regulatory approval for 100 percent drop-in capacity in Europe is underway and anticipated by industry participants in 2026, subject to applicable certification approvals by the certification body ASTM International

The PureSAF alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) technology was originally invented and developed by Swedish Biofuels AB. KBR is the exclusive licensing and commercial deployment partner for the technology.

Development subject to support

NorSAF is a sustainable fuel developer based in Latvia, with Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance (ACMI) provider, as acting 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.

The progression of the project, including the finalization of development phases and the eventual commencement of facility construction, remains subject to securing the necessary support and commitments from strategic partners.

To support this growth, NorSAF welcomes interest from additional equity investors.

The planned location for the NorSAF project is the Port of Liepāja, Latvia. Once built, it will produce both SAF from advanced bioethanol and eSAF, an electro-synthetic aviation fuel made from green hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide (bioCO₂).

By utilizing renewable electricity to power electrolysis for hydrogen production and combining it with captured bioCO₂, the project will benefit from a complete green energy cycle.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the proposed production process are projected to drop by approximately 83 percent 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. 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 sustainable, 100 percent 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, said Jānis Kisiels, Board Member of NorSAF.

Aligned with ReFuelEU Aviation

With a target annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of SAF/eSAF, the project is provisionally expected to begin operations in 2031.

This timeline is aligned with the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation mandates, which require SAF adoption to reach 70 percent by 2050. NorSAF production would be supplied to European aviation companies to help decrease their carbon footprint.

By transforming the Port of Liepāja into a sustainable fuel hub, NorSAF and KBR are positioning Latvia as a vital link in the aviation value chain, serving international markets.

We are proud to be a part of this pivotal project, which will drive Latvia’s transition toward cleaner aviation and reinforce Europe’s leadership in sustainable fuel innovation. KBR is committed to providing viable energy solutions, and our PureSAF process not only scales SAF production but also offers an opportunity to co-process CO₂ and syngas in the same plant and produce a fungible jet fuel ready for use, without the need to blend with traditional jet fuel, said Jay Ibrahim, President, Sustainable Technology Solutions at KBR.