SPIE involved from design phase in SkyNRG’s 1st SAF plant in Netherlands

Image: SkyNRG via SPIE

SPIE, an independent European multitechnical services provider in energy and communications, announced May 12 that it has been awarded a contract by SkyNRG covering the set‑up of maintenance services for the Netherlands’ first facility dedicated exclusively to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), located at the chemical park in Delfzijl.

This assignment marks the prelude to a long-term maintenance contract, SPIE stated.

With the development of this plant, the Netherlands is taking an important step toward making aviation more sustainable.

The installation, known as DSL‑01, is expected to produce 100,000 metric tons of SAF per year, along with 35,000 tons of sustainable byproducts such as biobased butane and naphtha.

The sustainable kerosene produced at this facility is expected to deliver a CO2 reduction of up to 80 percent compared with fossil kerosene.

SPIE said it has been closely involved in the project for three years, advising during the design phase on the layout of the installation, with particular attention to maintainability, safety and efficiency.

This early-stage involvement not only prepares the future maintenance phase but also lays the foundation for a reliable and future-proof plant, the company stated.

Now that financing has been secured and all permits have been granted, the project is entering the construction phase.

In this phase, SPIE said it translates the design choices into a fully structured maintenance organization.

This includes setting up maintenance processes, identifying and managing risks and ensuring safe and efficient operations throughout the full lifecycle of the installation.

“We have been involved from the very beginning to ensure that this plant will not only be built, but will also be able to operate safely, efficiently and future‑proof,” said Maas Jan Smit, the operational manager of SPIE’s maintenance-solutions business unit. “It is precisely this combination of design and management that makes this project special for us.”

With the construction of the plant, SkyNRG is making the transition from supplier to producer of sustainable fuels.

This brings with it a complex and dynamic project environment in which processes and organizations are still being established.

SPIE said it acts as a partner that goes beyond execution alone.

By combining experience in complex industrial environments with flexibility and a solution-oriented approach, SPIE said it actively contributes to building a robust and flexible maintenance organization. 

“This is a project in which not everything is defined yet,” Smit said. “That requires a partner who can adapt and take responsibility. We bring the knowledge and experience needed to establish a solid foundation together with SkyNRG for the decades ahead.”

Within this project, SPIE said it combines expertise from multiple disciplines.

In addition to maintenance and asset management, knowledge and capacity are also provided in the areas of breakdown services, projects, automation and control technology.

This integrated approach enables SPIE to support the plant across the full spectrum and to respond quickly to changes in technology, energy supply and production processes. 

Sustainable aviation fuel plays a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions in the aviation sector.

The plant in Delfzijl contributes to scaling up SAF production in Europe and supports airlines in achieving their climate targets.

With its involvement, SPIE underscores its role as a partner in the sustainability transition of industry and its ability to support complex, innovative projects.

Construction of the plant has now started, and the installation is expected to be operational by mid‑2028.