Sasol and Topsoe are preparing to wind down their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) joint venture, Zaffra, in a strategic restructuring that shifts the partnership back to a technology-led licensing model while maintaining their commitment to the fast-evolving SAF market.
The companies said the planned operational wind-down follows a strategic review and reflects a decision to streamline collaboration as the market matures.
Rather than operating through the joint venture, Sasol and Topsoe will continue working together under their Single Point Licensor (SPL) framework, established in 2019, which has already secured six technology licences.
Launched in 2023, Zaffra combined Sasol's advanced Fischer-Tropsch fuel technology with Topsoe's clean fuels technologies to pursue opportunities in the emerging SAF sector. During its two-year existence, the venture helped develop a pipeline of projects, deepen customer engagement and strengthen market intelligence in a rapidly changing industry.
The companies said the revised structure will provide greater flexibility, allowing them to pursue projects, innovation initiatives and market opportunities more effectively while continuing to offer integrated technology solutions through the SPL framework.
The decision marks a significant organisational change but does not signal a retreat from either the Sasol-Topsoe partnership or their ambitions in sustainable aviation fuel, the companies said.
“This carefully considered decision reflects the next organisational phase of Sasol and Topsoe’s work together in sustainable aviation fuel development,” said Simon Baloyi, President and CEO of Sasol.
"Zaffra has helped establish an important foundation for this market, and we recognise the contribution made by the Zaffra team, customers and partners. We remain committed to building on this foundation through our long-standing technology-led collaboration with Topsoe and to supporting the development of sustainable fuels.”
Topsoe President and CEO Elena Scaltritti said the restructuring reflects the changing dynamics of the SAF market. "Sasol and Topsoe have built a strong and trusted partnership over many years. As the SAF market evolves, it is important that our collaboration model evolves with it.
"We will continue to strengthen our technology-led cooperation through the SPL framework and adjust the organisational structure for selected projects and priority initiatives to carry the partnership into the next phase of SAF development. We acknowledge the work done through Zaffra and will manage the transition responsibly with relevant stakeholders.”
Sasol and Topsoe said the wind-down will be carried out in a disciplined and compliant manner, with customers, employees, value-chain partners and other stakeholders to be engaged throughout the transition to minimise disruption and ensure business continuity.
The companies have collaborated for more than three decades, combining their technologies to commercialise complex energy solutions, and say the SPL framework will remain the cornerstone of their future cooperation in sustainable aviation fuel development.
