EUR 350 Million for Germany's Largest eSAF Facility: Funding Decision Awarded to Brandenburg eSAF

German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke officially handed over the funding decision for the "Brandenburg eSAF" project in Schwedt on 12 May 2026. The federal government and the state of Brandenburg are supporting the venture with a total of 350 million euros. On the site of the PCK refinery, ENERTRAG and ZAFFRA – a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol – are planning Germany's largest industrial-scale production facility for power-based sustainable aviation fuels (Electric Sustainable Aviation Fuels, eSAF). The project, previously known as "Concrete Chemicals", is thereby entering a new phase.

From 2030 onwards, more than 30,000 tonnes of eSAF are to be produced annually in Schwedt. The facility will thus cover around one quarter of the German eSAF blending quota mandated by the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation from 2030. Total investment exceeds 500 million euros, with the federal government contributing 245 million euros and the state of Brandenburg 104 million euros. The final investment decision is targeted by the end of 2027, with production scheduled to begin in 2030. The Griesemann Group was commissioned with the engineering studies in April 2026.

At the technical core of the project is the Fischer-Tropsch process, which converts green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ into synthetic hydrocarbons. According to the project partners, the end product generates more than 90 percent fewer CO₂ emissions than fossil kerosene. ZAFFRA is contributing its G2L eFuels platform, which combines Sasol's Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with Topsoe's eREACT technology. The biogenic CO₂ required is sourced from the paper production of LEIPA Georg Leinfelder, a manufacturer based in Schwedt.

The green hydrogen will largely be supplied via the German hydrogen core network ("Wasserstoff-Kernnetz"), specifically through the FLOW pipeline operated by transmission system operator Gascade. This supply will be complemented by an additional on-site electrolysis facility operated by ENERTRAG. The establishment of eSAF production is expected to create around 150 permanent skilled jobs at the Schwedt site, with up to 1,500 workers anticipated in the region during the construction phase.