Zaffra B.V., a joint venture between Sasol Ltd and Topsoe A/S, and Germany's MB Energy Group, an independent energy company, have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for assessing a cooperation to support the commercialisation and market deployment of electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) across Europe.
Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Hamburg, MB Energy engages in the import, storage, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products, LPG, chemicals, and biofuels across Europe, the United States, and Singapore.
The partnership marks a significant development and could deliver a valuable contribution to the eSAF market, connecting fuel production with the storage, blending, logistics, and airport supply infrastructure required to deliver synthetic aviation fuel at scale.
Leverage storage and logistics
Together, Zaffra and MB Energy will assess possible collaboration to advance the infrastructure and supply chain capabilities needed to scale eSAF, supporting the aviation sector’s transition to lower-carbon fuels while strengthening Europe’s energy security.
As the aviation industry accelerates its transition toward increasingly ambitious decarbonisation targets and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates, the partnership could help ensure that airlines and other aviation stakeholders can access reliable, scalable supplies of eSAF.
MB Energy’s established network of storage terminals, logistics capabilities, and strategic access to key aviation hubs would bolster the distribution of Zaffra’s future production volumes and support MB Energy’s vision to bring e-fuels to market and advance the reduction of carbon emissions.
Under the MoU, MB Energy will be a potential offtaker for eSAF volumes from Zaffra’s global portfolio of opportunities, supporting the commercial viability of future production.
Focus on Brandenburg eSAF
The initial focus of the collaboration will be on Brandenburg eSAF, Germany’s largest eSAF production facility.
Brandenburg eSAF is a joint project between Zaffra and ENERTRAG, which will produce over 30,000 tonnes of eSAF annually at the PCK refinery in Schwedt from 2030, covering roughly a quarter of Germany’s eSAF mandate under the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation.
The partnership also envisages MB Energy working with Zaffra to design and provide a comprehensive end-to-end logistical concept for Zaffra’s eSAF project portfolio, including distribution across MB Energy’s markets and to airline customers.
In addition, the companies consider exploring opportunities to secure a hydrogen supply for eSAF production through MB Energy’s low-carbon fuel infrastructure project, New Energy Gate, in Hamburg.
The cooperation would also support Zaffra’s participation in the European double-sided auction by providing a viable end-to-end supply chain concept linking production, logistics, and customer delivery.
Commercialising eSAF requires more than production capacity alone – it requires an entirely new supply and logistics ecosystem. This partnership with MB Energy would be a critical step towards establishing that ecosystem and ensuring that more sustainable fuels can reach customers efficiently, reliably, and at scale, said Jan Toschka, CEO of Zaffra.
Bolster European energy and economic resilience
The collaboration would be expected to deliver broader economic and societal benefits, including supporting regional employment through construction, operations, logistics, and associated value chains.
By enabling local production, storage, and distribution of eSAF, the partnership would also contribute to greater European energy resilience through diversified fuel supply chains.
Using their shareholders’ proprietary gas-to-liquids (G2L) eFuels technology, which transforms clean electricity, water, and sustainable sources of carbon dioxide into ASTM-certified synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF), delivering over 90 percent emissions reductions, Zaffra is a critical partner in achieving long-term carbon reduction goals for the aviation industry.
As demand for eSAF continues to grow, Zaffra and MB Energy’s partnership would aim to establish the foundation for a scalable, reliable, and resilient eSAF supply chain capable of supporting the future needs of the aviation sector.
Building a successful eSAF market requires strong partnerships across the entire value chain – from production and hydrogen supply to logistics, distribution, and customer access. By combining Zaffra’s eSAF development capabilities with MB Energy’s infrastructure and market reach, we would be creating the foundation for a practical and scalable supply chain that can help accelerate aviation’s reduction of carbon emissions in Europe, said Jonathan Perkins, CEO of MB Energy.
