Emerson has secured a contract from Technip Energies to provide the automation technology for SkyNRG’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant under construction in Delfzijl, Netherlands, in a project aimed at helping the country meet the European Union’s SAF mandate.

 

The facility is billed as Europe’s first dedicated greenfield SAF production plant. Emerson will deploy its DeltaV integrated control and safety system (ICSS) to support safe startup, reduce project risk and help maximize long-term operational performance.

 

The plant is expected to begin operations in 2028 and produce around 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually. It will convert residual fats and greases into a sustainable “drop-in” aviation fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel without modifications to aircraft or existing fueling infrastructure.

 

The project comes as the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation drives a rapid increase in SAF use. The regulation requires jet fuel supplied at EU airports to contain at least 2% SAF from 2025, with the requirement rising to 70% by 2050.

 

“Developing Europe’s first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel facility is a major step in scaling SAF production and supporting aviation decarbonization,” said Bart Rosendaal, site director of DSL-01 at SkyNRG. “Working with experienced partners like Technip Energies and Emerson helps ensure we can deliver a safe, reliable and future-ready plant from day one.”

 

As a greenfield facility, the SkyNRG plant is being designed as a digitally enabled operation from the outset. Emerson’s ICSS will combine its DeltaV Distributed Control System and DeltaV Safety Instrumented System to handle process control, safety shutdown and fire and gas detection.

 

Emerson’s AMS Device Manager plant asset management software will provide device data, equipment health information and advanced diagnostics to support commissioning and long-term maintenance.

 

The automation systems will oversee the plant’s major process units, including the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids process used to produce SAF, an advanced feedstock pre-treatment unit and an on-site hydrogen plant based on Technip Energies’ proprietary high-efficiency steam methane reforming technology.

 

By integrating these systems, the project is designed to provide real-time operational visibility and stable process control while helping improve reliability and optimize production throughput.

 

Emerson will also provide end-to-end project services, using digital technologies and modern project management approaches to streamline engineering and commissioning.

 

Integration of the ICSS with multiple modular production units is expected to simplify commissioning. DeltaV Electronic Marshalling with distributed CHARMs will reduce field wiring requirements while providing greater flexibility for late-stage design changes.

 

“Projects such as SkyNRG’s SAF facility represent the future of energy and sustainable fuels,” said Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “With complex, first-of-a-kind plants, early engineering alignment and a fully integrated automation architecture are key to delivering predictable project outcomes and consistent operational performance over the long term.”

 

Once operational, the Delfzijl facility will add a significant dedicated SAF production capacity to Europe’s emerging sustainable aviation fuel industry, while providing the Netherlands with domestic production capacity as EU SAF blending requirements increase.