SkyNRG CEO, co-founder to step down. 15 hours ago SkyNRG announced in September that its co-founder, Maarten van Dijk, has made the personal decision to step down as CEO Dec. 31. Since co-founding SkyNRG in 2009, Van Dijk has, together with Theye Veen, led the company from an ambitious startup to a globally recognized leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Under his leadership, SkyNRG has helped create and develop the global SAF market, established a strong international presence, secured long-term customer relationships and developed a world-class project portfolio. Van Dijk's decision comes as SkyNRG enters its next phase of growth as it turns its ambition to become an owner and operator into reality. Construction is underway on DSL-01, its first large-scale SAF production facility in the Netherlands. At the same time, SkyNRG continues to advance its international project portfolio, through developing its own projects including Project SkyKraft in Sweden and Project Wigeon in the U.S., as well as through strategic merger-and-acquisition (M&A) opportunities. Combined with the company's growing commercial business and strong network of customers, partners and shareholders, SkyNRG's activities transition from market development and project origination towards large-scale SAF production and operations. As SkyNRG evolves from a pioneer in SAF into a producer and operator of SAF facilities, Van Dijk said he believes this is the right moment for a new leader to guide the company's next chapter. He will remain CEO until Dec. 31 and will support the company during the handover period through the first quarter of 2027. The board has initiated the search for a successor and appointed leading executive search firm Egon Zehnder to support the process. "After careful reflection, I have decided to step down as CEO of SkyNRG after more than 17 years leading and building the company," Van Dijk said. "I believe this is the right time, both personally and for SkyNRG. SkyNRG is in a very strong position. We have an amazing team and very supportive shareholders. The start of construction on our first large-scale SAF production facility marks a major milestone and, together with our strong commercial business and international project portfolio, provides a solid foundation for future growth. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I am deeply grateful to our employees, customers, partners, shareholders and everyone who has supported us along the way. Leading SkyNRG has been the greatest privilege of my professional life, and I am committed to supporting a smooth transition." Veen, the chief commercial officer and fellow co-founder of SkyNRG, added, "Maarten's contribution to SkyNRG has been extraordinary. Together, we have built a company that has shaped the development of the SAF market while creating the distinctive culture that defines SkyNRG. I want to thank him for his leadership, his friendship and all the fun we have had over the years. Our focus remains firmly on advancing our project portfolio, supporting our customers and partners, and maintaining the strong momentum across the business." Kate Vidgen, SkyNRG's board chair, said, "Maarten has played a defining role in building SkyNRG into the company it is today. He is an originator and a builder. The start of construction on SkyNRG's first large-scale SAF production facility is a testament to his long-term vision and leadership, and to the capabilities and commitment of the entire organization. While we are sorry to see Maarten step down, we fully respect his personal decision and appreciate the thoughtful way in which he has approached it. The board shares his confidence in SkyNRG's leadership team, strategy and long-term growth prospects. The board is committed to ensuring continuity throughout the transition and appointing a new CEO to lead SkyNRG into its next phase of growth."

KLM backs SkyNRG Dutch SAF plant with $3.5B deal. * KLM will purchase at least 75,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel each year, equal to 75% of the plant's output. * The long-term agreement represents a sustainability commitment of nearly $3.5 billion and helped SkyNRG secure project financing. * Production is expected to begin in 2028 as the Netherlands works toward its national target of 14% SAF use by 2030. Long-term demand unlocks Dutch SAF production. KLM and SkyNRG have started construction of the Netherlands' first facility dedicated to sustainable aviation fuel production. The SkyNRG Delfzijl plant, known as DSL-01, is expected to begin producing fuel in 2028. Once operational, it will supply about 100,000 tonnes of SAF each year. KLM has committed to purchasing at least 75,000 tonnes annually. That represents 75% of the facility's planned SAF output and nearly $3.5 billion in long-term spending. The agreement gives SkyNRG a large, committed customer before production begins. Such contracts are crucial for capital-intensive climate infrastructure. They provide revenue certainty and help developers secure financing. KLM co-founded SkyNRG in 2009 and has supported the development of the SAF market since then. Its long-term purchase commitment directly contributed to the financing and development of the Delfzijl project. "As the first airline in the world, our long-term offtake agreement directly contributes to the financing and realization of this facility. Today, together with SkyNRG and other invited guests, we mark a milestone by celebrating the start of construction, making this project finally tangible. I am proud that KLM, as a co-founder of SkyNRG and the largest purchaser of the fuel, is taking an important step in scaling up SAF production in the Netherlands and further advancing the sustainability of aviation," said Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM. SAF offers deep cuts in lifecycle emissions. Aviation remains difficult to decarbonize because long-distance aircraft still depend on energy-dense liquid fuels. Battery and hydrogen technologies are unlikely to replace conventional jet fuel across major international routes in the near term. SAF can work within existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure. However, its climate value depends on the feedstocks, production process and energy used. The fuel releases carbon dioxide during flight, much like fossil kerosene. Its overall lifecycle emissions can be substantially lower because the carbon comes from renewable or recycled sources. According to KLM, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by at least 65%. Some production pathways can deliver reductions above 90% compared with conventional kerosene. "Today's milestone in Delfzijl shows that large-scale SAF production in the Netherlands is becoming a reality. We are proud to take this step together with KLM and our partners, whose long-term commitment has helped make this project possible. DSL-01 is an important step toward scaling SAF production and accelerating the transition to more sustainable aviation," said Maarten van Dijk, CEO of SkyNRG. Cost gap remains a barrier to wider adoption. Despite its emissions benefits, SAF remains three to four times more expensive than fossil kerosene. Limited production capacity, feedstock constraints and high development costs continue to restrict supply. That price gap creates financial pressure for airlines operating on narrow margins. It also raises questions about how the transition will affect ticket prices, competitiveness and demand. KLM is calling for stronger government support to expand production and reduce costs. The airline has proposed a national SAF fund, following recommendations in the Wennink report, "The Route to Future Prosperity." The Netherlands has set a national ambition of reaching 14% SAF use by 2030. By comparison, European rules require fuel supplied at covered EU airports to contain at least 6% SAF from 2030. The new Dutch coalition agreement includes plans to expand alternative aviation fuels and support domestic production. The challenge will be converting those commitments into bankable incentives without weakening sustainability standards. For executives and investors, DSL-01 shows how long-term corporate purchasing can unlock industrial decarbonization projects. It also exposes the limits of voluntary action. One plant will not provide enough fuel to transform Dutch aviation. Replicating the model will require coordinated policy, reliable demand and substantial private capital. The Netherlands' success could influence how other aviation hubs finance the next generation of low-carbon fuel infrastructure. Subscribe & Follow for daily ESG insights. Join the Conversation: Follow ESG News on LinkedIn to engage with its global community of 50K+ sustainability leaders and C-suite executives.

Green Gas & Liquids to supply desulphurization package for SkyNRG's SAF plant. 04/08/2026 Advancing industrial solutions for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production. CO[2] Value Europe member Green Gas & Liquids (GGL) has secured a contract to engineer, procure, and supply its Laminol(R) acid gas treatment unit for SkyNRG's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. Technip Energies is executing the wider project. The contract represents an important milestone for GGL, demonstrating the company's expertise in gas treatment technologies and its ability to deliver specialised process solutions within large-scale industrial projects. Supporting safe and reliable SAF production. Acid gas treatment is an essential part of the SAF production process. During production, feedstocks can generate hydrogen sulphide (H[2]S) and other acid gas components that, if left untreated, may corrode equipment, create safety risks, and affect the quality of downstream process streams. GGL's regenerative Laminol(R) technology is designed to remove H[2]S while accommodating variations in sulphur loads, enabling reliable operation under changing feedstock conditions. By ensuring effective acid gas removal, the technology contributes to the safe, continuous, and efficient operation of the production facility. Delivering technology within a major EPC project. Under the contract, GGL is responsible for the engineering, procurement, and supply of the Laminol(R) acid gas treatment unit, while Technip Energies is overseeing the overall engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the SkyNRG project. Participation in a large-scale EPC project demonstrates GGL's capability to integrate its technology into complex industrial delivery frameworks, meeting the high engineering, documentation, and quality standards required for major infrastructure developments. Contributing to lower-carbon aviation. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is expected to play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector, providing one of the most promising near-term pathways to decarbonise air transport. Projects such as the SkyNRG facility in Delfzijl contribute to building the industrial infrastructure needed to expand SAF production. GGL's involvement also illustrates how advanced gas treatment technologies can support the deployment of sustainable fuel production and other industrial applications requiring efficient gas separation and purification. CO[2] Value Europe congratulates Green Gas & Liquids on this achievement and looks forward to following the progress of the project. Find more here.