Haltermann Carless suspends plans for SAF production in Germany

Haltermann Carless’s production site in Speyer, Germany, where the company had planned to invest in a new alcohol-to-jet technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel. For the time being, the SAF-investment project has been put on hold. (Photo: Haltermann Carless)

With a substantial strategic investment, Haltermann Carless aimed to become the first company to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Germany.

The chemical company announced April 22 that it is now postponing the project for the time being.

The company said its commitment to SAF, however, remains unchanged.

Haltermann Carless has been engaged in the development and promotion of SAF in recent years.

Central to this commitment was an investment project to produce 60,000 metric tons of SAF annually using the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process at the company’s production site in Speyer, Germany.

The company announced in August 2023 the signing of a letter of intent with Lufthansa to develop the project.

The SAF project had progressed to the conceptual-design phase.

Despite comprehensive efforts and ongoing dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders from both industry and government in Germany and across Europe, the essential framework conditions and reliable commitments required to advance the project further are insufficient, the company stated.

“We regret that, under the present circumstances, we are unable to move our ATJ SAF investment project into the next phase and must therefore place it on hold for the time being,” said CEO Peter Friesenhahn.

“We remain firmly convinced that sustainable aviation fuels will play a crucial role in shaping a more environmentally responsible future for aviation,” he added.

“That is why we will continue to focus our efforts on developing viable solutions in this important area, close to our company’s DNA and heritage,” Friesenhahn said.

The company’s portfolio includes performance fuels, solvents, pentanes, middle distillates as well as energy products and services.

As one of the oldest chemical companies in the world, Haltermann Carless said it continues its legacy with a global team of 500 employees across nine locations and production sites in Germany, France, the U.K. and the U.S.