Turning Tides in Aviation: TU Freiberg Developing Eco-Friendly Jet Fuel
Freiberg's Technical University is investigating a climate-friendly alternative to jet fuel. - Investigating carbon-free jet fuel alternatives
Let's dive into the exciting world of aviation as the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, alongside CAC Engineering, cuts the ribbon on Germany's largest facility for manufacturing climate-friendly jet fuel. This bold move marks a crucial advancement in the realm of synthetic jet fuel production, with the first eco-friendly fuel for aviation now in production.
Revolutionary Project Backed by the Federal Government
Set in motion by federal funding, this research project aims to perfect and advance the technology involved. The TU's research will serve as the blueprint for industrial application. The ambitious duo hopes to construct Germany's inaugural industrial-scale plant for sustainable synthetic methanol-based aviation fuels within the next four to six years.
Fuelling a Greener Tomorrow
For years, TU Freiberg has dedicated itself to the exploration of alternative fuels, particularly e-fuels – renewable energy carriers synthesized using electricity. The key ingredient, methanol, is produced from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, making it a regenerative resource. Unlike traditional methods, methanol can be efficiently produced in energy-optimized locations and transported as a liquid energy carrier for on-site processing with adequate infrastructure.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) paves the way for the gradual replacement of conventional jet fuel, a necessary transition for the aviation industry given the high energy demands for long-distance flights.
Samples for Certification in 2026, Industrial Production by 2030
The Freibergers are aiming to submit jet fuel samples for evaluation in 2026, with plans to establish a commercial production plant capable of processing 10,000 tons of fuel per year by 2030.
- Project
- Freiberg
- Climate-Neutral Jet Fuel
- Saxony
- Synthetic Jet Fuel
Insights:
- To achieve industrial-scale production, the project will focus on optimizing and further developing methanol-to-jet fuel production technology, especially innovating the olefins-to-jet fuel process (EwOPro).
- The EwOPro project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK) and coordinated by Project Management Jülich (PTJ).
- In April 2025, a pilot plant was established in Freiberg, already identified as the most advanced and largest in Germany for producing methanol-based jet fuel.
- The first litres of environmentally friendly jet fuel have already been produced at the pilot plant located at the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering (IEC).
- The TU Freiberg's research project, funded by the Federal Government, focuses on optimizing and further developing methanol-to-jet fuel production technology, especially the olefins-to-jet fuel process (EwOPro).
- The climate-neutral jet fuel research project in Freiberg, Saxony, is part of the larger effort to transition the aviation industry towards sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
- The EwOPro project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK) and coordinated by Project Management Jülich (PTJ), aims to construct Germany's first industrial-scale plant for sustainable synthetic methanol-based aviation fuels within the next four to six years.
