Phelan Green selects Honeywell technology for South Africa eSAF plant, boosting green fuel production, exports, jobs, and low-carbon aviation growth.
Phelan Green, through its clean fuels arm Phelan eFuels, has announced that it will utilize Honeywell’s advanced renewable fuel processing technology for its upcoming electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) production facility in Saldanha Bay, located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. This strategic technology selection marks an important step in advancing large-scale production of low-carbon aviation fuels in the region.
As part of the project, Phelan eFuels will implement Honeywell UOP’s Fischer Tropsch (FT) Unicracking™ process. This innovative technology converts Fischer Tropsch-derived liquids and waxes—produced using captured carbon dioxide (CO2)—into high-quality eSAF that meets stringent aviation fuel standards. The use of CO2 as a feedstock highlights the project’s strong focus on sustainability and carbon reduction, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry.
Paschal Phelan, Chairman of Phelan Green, emphasized the importance of this technology choice, noting that Honeywell’s Fischer Tropsch Unicracking process offers a reliable and commercially viable pathway for producing sustainable aviation fuel at scale. He described the initiative as a significant milestone not only for the company but also for South Africa’s growing eFuels sector. According to him, the project reflects Phelan Green’s commitment to fostering industrial growth, creating employment opportunities, and investing in forward-looking energy solutions that contribute to emissions reduction.
The planned eSAF facility is a central component of the broader Phelan Green Hydrogen Project, which represents a substantial private investment of approximately R47 billion (around US $2.5 billion). This large-scale initiative has been officially recognized by the South African government as a strategic national development project, underscoring its importance to the country’s economic and environmental goals. Once completed, the facility is expected to rank among the world’s first commercial-scale plants dedicated to eSAF production, with an annual output exceeding 140,000 tons. The fuel produced will primarily be exported to markets in the European Union and the United Kingdom, where demand for sustainable aviation fuels is rapidly increasing due to stricter environmental regulations.
Rajesh Gattupalli, President of Honeywell UOP, highlighted the advantages of the company’s technologies, stating that they are engineered to deliver scalable, efficient, and adaptable solutions for low-carbon fuel production. He added that the deployment of the Fischer Tropsch Unicracking process in this project will play a key role in supporting Phelan eFuels’ objective of establishing commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production capabilities in South Africa.
Construction of the Saldanha Bay facility is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The development phase is expected to generate thousands of jobs locally, spanning construction, engineering, and operational roles. In addition to boosting employment, the project is poised to strengthen South Africa’s position as a competitive global supplier of next-generation aviation fuels, contributing to the broader transition toward cleaner energy systems.
