Syzygy Plasmonics and Honeywell Claim SAF Breakthrough

Houston-based Syzygy Plasmonics and Honeywell UOP claim they have cracked the cost and feedstock challenges that have so far held back the scaling of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Syzygy Plasmonics will use Honeywell UOP Fischer-Tropsch Unicracking technology to make SAF from dairy waste and renewable energy at what is believed to be the world’s first electrified biogas-to-SAF project.

Syzygy’s modular commercial plant, NovaSAF-1, located in Duranzo, Uruguay, is expected to produce more than 350,000 gallons (1.3 million litres) of SAF per year.

>> In Other News: North Dakota Supreme Court Allows Landowner Challenge to CO2 Storage Law to Proceed

The NovaSAF platform has the potential to be replicated at over 50,000 biogas sites globally, which would help to scale affordable SAF production using an abundant feedstock.

gasworld previously reported that Kent will lead the FEED phase and support permitting and equipment sourcing. Final investment decision is targeted for Q4 2025, with commercial operations planned to begin in early 2027.

Trevor Best, CEO and co-founder of Syzygy Plasmonics, said the NovaSAF platform delivers both high volumes and low price points – including Jet-A parity under the right conditions.

“With Honeywell’s hydrocracking technology, we can accelerate the development of our modular NovaSAF-1 plant, which will serve as a repeatable, scalable model for the future,” he said.

“This plant will show the world how profitable it can be to produce SAF from biogas waste streams combined with renewable energy.”

With traditional feedstocks in short supply, alternative production methods are important to produce renewable fuels.

By 2030, the International Energy Agency predicts waste- and non-food crop-based biofuels will supply over 40% of biofuel demand.

Rajesh Gattupalli, President of Honeywell UOP, said, “Honeywell continues to build on our hydrocracking technology, which we have pioneered for more than 70 years, while advancing the production of lower-carbon fuels for aviation.”

“Syzygy’s modular construction paired with our proven, innovative technology demonstrates how biogas-to-SAF facilities can become more achievable and help improve waste-to-clean-energy conversion.”