Topsoe will supply Hydroflex® technology for a major Chinese SAF project, supporting decarbonization, China’s dual-carbon goals, and global aviation emissions reduction.
Topsoe, a globally recognized provider of advanced technologies and solutions supporting the energy transition, has strengthened its role in China’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) landscape by being selected as the technology partner for a major new renewable fuels project. The company has entered into an agreement with Tangshan Jinlihai Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a developer and supplier of renewable fuels, to supply its proprietary Hydroflex® technology along with related engineering and technical services.
Under the agreement, Topsoe will deliver its Hydroflex® technology to Tangshan Jinlihai’s planned industrial hub, which is designed to process approximately 300,000 tons of feedstock per year. The facility will primarily utilize waste oils as raw materials, converting them into sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. By using advanced conversion technology and sustainable feedstocks, the project aims to significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional fossil-based jet fuels.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits. According to project estimates, the use of Topsoe’s technology could enable the avoidance of around 700,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. This reduction is comparable to eliminating the emissions generated by roughly two million passengers flying long-haul routes between Beijing and Copenhagen, illustrating the scale of the project’s climate impact.
Commenting on the collaboration, Yassir Ghiyati, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership. He noted that working with Tangshan Jinlihai demonstrates a shared commitment to accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. By applying proven and scalable technologies, Topsoe aims to help customers progress toward their decarbonization targets while supporting emission-reduction efforts not only in China but also across Europe, reinforcing the global nature of the energy transition.
From the project owner’s perspective, Aijun Li, Chairman of Tangshan Jinlihai, highlighted the broader strategic implications. He stated that the jointly developed SAF project represents a key milestone in the company’s expansion into high-end green energy solutions and its pursuit of “new quality productivity.” Leveraging the geographic and industrial strengths of the Caofeidian Petrochemical Industry Base, the project will integrate waste oil resources with Topsoe’s globally leading technology to establish a high-quality SAF production facility. Beyond extending Jinlihai’s green industrial chain, the project also aligns with China’s “dual carbon” goals—carbon peaking and carbon neutrality—and supports the low-carbon transformation of the aviation sector.
The agreement comes at a time when global demand for sustainable aviation fuel is rising rapidly. The International Air Transport Association forecasts that SAF production will more than double in 2025 compared with 2024, reaching approximately 2.1 million tons, or 2.7 billion liters. Despite this growth, SAF would still account for only about 0.7% of total global jet fuel consumption. Looking further ahead, the International Energy Agency, in its Net Zero Scenario, estimates that more than 10% of aviation fuel demand must be met by SAF by 2030 to keep the industry on track for net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project will be located in Tangshan, Hebei province, within the Caofeidian Petrochemical Industry Base. With a planned investment of around USD 210 million, construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, while commercial operations are targeted for the second half of 2028.
This latest agreement further strengthens Topsoe’s expanding footprint in China’s SAF market and represents its sixth SAF-related contract in the country. In recent years, Topsoe has announced similar collaborations with companies such as Zhongneng Yida New Energy Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Jianglan Bio-Energy Technology Co. Ltd, Chuangui New Energy Company, and Guangxi Hongkun Biomass, underscoring its growing role in supporting China’s low-carbon aviation ambitions.
