Strong partnership: German Ambassador visits Sasol Operations in Sasolburg
Germany and South Africa continue their international exchange in the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 October 2022 – Sasol Operations welcomed German Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Andreas Peschke, in Sasolburg. His visit is a further part of the partnership between Germany and South Africa to decarbonise the aviation sector within the framework of the CARE-O-SENE project. The aim of the project is to develop novel Fischer-Tropsch catalysts needed for the production of sustainable aviation fuel on an industrial scale.
Recently, Germany provided 30 million euros for the research project through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). In addition, the industrial consortium partners are contributing 10 million euros.
Ambassador Peschke explains: "The CARE-O-SENE project, which was symbolically launched by the South African President and the German Chancellor on 24 May, is our largest cooperation project with a significant investment by the German government. The use of renewable kerosene in aviation is an important building block on the way to a green and clean future."
"Testing of the CARE-O-SENE catalyst will take place in Sasolburg, where our company's history also began more than 70 years ago," adds Fleetwood Grobler, president and CEO of Sasol. "With our expertise in Fischer-Tropsch technology and catalysts, we are the ideal partner to help decarbonise the aviation sector and make it sustainable for the long term."
Said Fischer-Tropsch catalysts are used to accelerate chemical reactions, increase yields and improve the quality of refinery products. The new generation catalysts are expected to increase the kerosene yield of the process to over 80 percent, optimising the use of resources. The technology will enable the production of sustainable products, which are increasingly in demand in a low-carbon world.
Sustainable kerosene - so-called Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) - is not based on fossil raw materials like conventional kerosene, but on green hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The technology contributes significantly to sustainably decarbonising sectors such as aviation, as fossil fuels are particularly difficult to replace in this area. For more information on CARE-O-SENE, Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and sustainable aviation fuels, please visit our FAQ page..