Topsoe: partners FatHopes Energy for SAF facility in Malaysia; secures 2nd SAF project in China

Danish tech firm Topsoe has tied up with Malaysia’s pioneer biofuel feedstock aggregator, FatHopes Energy (FHE), to explore the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery in Malaysia. The project will leverage renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil (UCO) and other waste-based oils to produce advanced aviation biofuels.

Under the MoU, Topsoe will provide its catalyst solutions and engineering expertise. Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology allows customers to convert various fats, oils and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel that meet all globally accepted specifications for these fuels.

Topsoe adds its HydroFlex can be deployed in both grassroots units and revamps for co-processing or fully renewable applications.

The collaboration will involve a feasibility study focused on the location for the SAF facility and once developed, the facility could either be operated by FatHopes Energy or licensed to a third-party operator for commercialisation.

This project is in line with the National Energy Transition Routemap in Malaysia, as well as Malaysia Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint and the countries SAF aspirations

Meanwhile in related news, Topsoe says it has been selected by Guangxi Free Trade Zone Chuangui Lingang New Energy Co Ltd (Chuangui New Energy company) for the production of SAF and renewable diesel. The plant will be located in Guangxi, China, with operations starting in December 2026.

Chuangui New Energy company will use Topsoe’s licensing and engineering design services and technologies, including its HydroFlex technology, proprietary equipment and catalysts enabling production of SAF and renewable diesel starting from used cooking oil.

Reaching FID in December 2024, construction of the Chuangui New Energy company plant has begun with commencement of operations expected in December 2026.

Once operational and at full capacity, the plant expects to process 300,000 tonnes/year of feedstock into SAF and renewable diesel.

When in full operation, Topsoe says its technology will expectedly enable an annual emission avoidance of app. 800,000 tonnes of CO2e – the equivalent of avoiding the emissions from approximately 160,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year.

He Xiong, Chairman of Chuangui New Energy company, said: “As one of the important means to promote the transformation of energy structure and achieve the goal of “double carbon” in China, the biomass new energy industry has great prospects for development. After a comprehensive selection, we firmly believe that Topsoe, with its advanced commercial technology and proven solutions, will help us move forward in the field of biomass liquid fuel production.”

The agreement represents Topsoe’s second SAF project in China, following its selection by Guangxi Free Trade Zone Hongkun Biomass Fuel Co Ltd in April 2024.

It also follows significant growth in Topsoe’s global SAF offering over the last 10 months, signing agreements with Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense’ Rio Grande renewable fuels plant in Brazil, Holborn’s renewable fuels refinery in Hamburg, Germany, Braya Renewable Fuels’ Come By Chance plant in Canada and Cepsa Bioenergia San Roque’s Palos de la Frontera plant in Spain.

There is growing demand for SAF; the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Scenario suggests that over 10% of fuel consumption in aviation needs to be SAF by 2030 to stay on course for net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

In July 2023, the International Air Transport Association estimated global SAF production to make up only around 0.2% of total jet fuel demand.