SkyNRG selects Technip Energies, Sasol, Topsoe for Project Wigeon FEED. 4 hours ago SkyNRG announced Sept. 28 the selection of Technip Energies, Sasol and Topsoe as key partners for the initial engineering activities of the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase of Project Wigeon, its planned sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility at the Port of Walla Walla in Washington state. The appointments bring together technology and engineering expertise to support Project Wigeon as it progresses into FEED, a key phase in further developing the project's engineering, cost and execution plans towards a future final-investment decision (FID). Project Wigeon is designed to produce 50 million gallons of SAF annually using renewable natural gas (RNG) and commercially proven Fischer-Tropsch technology. With key permitting secured and start-up targeted for 2031, the project aims to add significant new SAF production capacity in North America. Topsoe and Sasol have each signed a basic-engineering design-package agreement with SkyNRG, providing technology licenses, engineering design and technical services for their respective technologies. Project Wigeon will combine Topsoe's SynCOR(TM) and hydroprocessing technologies with Sasol's Fischer-Tropsch technology to convert RNG into SAF. Technip Energies brings extensive experience working with both Topsoe's and Sasol's technologies, alongside strong modularization capabilities to support the project's execution. The appointment also builds on SkyNRG's established relationship with Technip Energies through DSL-01, SkyNRG's SAF production facility currently under construction in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. "Bringing Technip Energies, Sasol and Topsoe on board is an important step in progressing Project Wigeon toward FEED," said Steve Drennan, co-president and project director. "Together, we are combining proven technologies with deep engineering and project-execution expertise to further develop a permitted, design-ready project and lay the foundations for commercial-scale advanced SAF production in the U.S." Loïc Chapuis, Technip Energies' president of project delivery and services, added, "Project Wigeon marks a new step in our collaboration with SkyNRG, building on the work already underway on DSL-01 project in the Netherlands. This new milestone demonstrates how our engineering and project delivery expertise can support SkyNRG as it develops SAF projects across different geographies and contributes to the growth of sustainable aviation fuel production." The project will be led by Andy Billig, SkyNRG's co-president of commercial and external affairs, and Steve Drennan, co-president and project director. Billig will focus on strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement, while Drennan will oversee development and technical delivery. They will work closely with SkyNRG's wider leadership team, including Jessie van der Linden, vice president of projects, who will serve as a key SkyNRG counterpart supporting governance and delivery. Together, SkyNRG, Technip Energies, Topsoe, Sasol and other project partners, including Boeing, are working to advance Project Wigeon toward commercial-scale SAF production and support the continued growth of advanced SAF supply in North America.

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.