Global energy commodities trader Gunvor Group has formed a partnership with European energy company Varo Energy to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Located on the Gunvor Energy Rotterdam (GER) site, the facility would have a total production capacity of 350 kilo tonnes/year, comprising approximately 70% of SAF (245 kilo tonnes/year), with the remainder being a bio-naphtha blend and bio-propane, the companies said Sept. 7.
The site will offer flexibility to switch between SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production, according to the companies.
Currently, the start of production was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
“With the capacity to produce 245 kt/year of SAF, we will meet 7% of the EU target for 2030,” said VARO CEO Dev Sanyal.
The SAF produced would, on average, have 90% fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
According to the website, the Gunvor Group also owns the Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam (GPR) refinery in the Port of Rotterdam. In addition to the Gunvor Refinery Ingolstadt (GRI) refinery, in Germany, and two biofuel processing plants in Spain, in Berantevilla and Huelva.
Varo Energy, a company based in Switzerland, has two divisions: the first comprises the manufacturing, storage, distribution and trade of conventional energy. While the second focuses on sustainable energy and includes biofuels, biogas, green hydrogen, electric mobility and nature-based carbon removals.
In February, VARO signed an agreement with German airline Lufthansa to supply SAF from 2026.
Source: Oils & Fats International
