
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 15, 2024 – St1 Nordic Refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden, has begun production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using Honeywell’s Ecofining™ technology, marking a major step forward in the sustainable energy transition. The biorefinery is designed to produce 200,000 tons of renewable fuel annually, with SAF supplied to regional airlines such as Braathens Regional Airlines.
The project will contribute significantly to reducing emissions from air travel, offering an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional fossil jet fuels. This effort aligns with the European Union’s ReFuelEU initiative, which mandates a minimum SAF blend of 2% by 2025, increasing incrementally to 70% by 2050.
A Milestone in Sustainable Energy Production
According to Miika Eerola, St1’s Head of Refining, Projects & HSSE, this initiative is a key milestone in St1’s long-term energy transition roadmap. “The Gothenburg biorefinery plays an essential role in our strategy to become a leader in producing CO2-aware energy,” said Eerola.
The refinery will leverage flexible feedstocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and tall oil fatty acids—byproducts from the paper and pulp industry. In addition to SAF, the biorefinery will produce biodiesel, bio-naphtha, and bio-liquid petroleum gas. These products are expected to cut overall traffic emissions by around 500,000 tons of CO2 annually.
Supporting the European Union’s Green Goals
The SAF produced at St1’s facility will directly contribute to the European Union’s broader goals for climate neutrality, as outlined in the European Green Deal. The biorefinery’s capacity will help meet growing SAF demand across Europe, with its flexible feedstock strategy offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Honeywell’s Ecofining™ technology, developed in partnership with Eni S.p.A., has been at the forefront of SAF production since 2016. Barry Glickman, Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions, emphasized the long-term potential of the collaboration: “Our Ecofining technology has played an essential role in the renewable energy space, and this partnership with St1 reinforces our commitment to supporting the global energy transition.”
With over 50 licensed SAF production sites globally, Honeywell’s technologies are projected to produce more than 500,000 barrels of renewable fuel per day across various facilities. The company’s renewable fuels portfolio also includes innovative solutions such as Ethanol to Jet technology and eFining™, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into e-fuels.
ReFuelEU and the Road Ahead
The biorefinery’s SAF production will support Europe’s aviation sector in meeting its decarbonization targets. The European Union’s ReFuelEU initiative mandates that by 2030, 6% of aviation fuel must be SAF, rising to 70% by 2050. The SAF produced by St1 will help meet these ambitious goals, reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.
“The Gothenburg biorefinery is a significant milestone in our energy transition roadmap and an important step in St1’s journey towards more sustainable energy production.” — Miika Eerola, St1 Head of Refining, Projects & HSSE
As the demand for SAF continues to grow, the Gothenburg biorefinery is well-positioned to be a major contributor to both the EU’s green aviation goals and the broader global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Looking Forward: A Sustainable Future for Aviation
St1 and Honeywell’s partnership exemplifies the type of large-scale collaboration needed to meet the energy demands of the future. As Honeywell continues to innovate across its renewable fuels portfolio, the St1 project stands out as a critical player in the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry.