Topsoe’s advanced SAF technology chosen by Zhongneng Yida in China

Topsoe, a leading global provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition, announced in mid-May that it has signed an agreement with Zhongneng Yida to provide its HydroFlex® technology and catalysts to produce sustainable aviation fuel.

Located at the city of Shijazhuang in the Shenze Economy Development Zone of Hebei province, the facility will produce 400,000 tons of SAF annually, utilizing used cooking oil (UCO) for feedstock.

When in full operation, Topsoe’s technology will expectedly enable an annual emission avoidance of approximately 930,000 tons of CO2e—the equivalent of avoiding the emissions from approximately 2.6 million passengers flying from Beijing to Copenhagen.

“This collaboration with Zhongneng Yida reflects our mutual commitment to supporting the aviation industry’s ambitions to move towards net zero,” said Elena Scaltritti, Topsoe’s chief commercial officer.

“The project will add further momentum to the supply of SAF across Europe and China, and we’re looking forward to working with Zhongneng Yida on this transition,” Scaltritti added.

Yin Feng, the president of Zhongneng Yida, said, “The 400,000-ton-per-year SAF-unit project is located in Shenze Economic and Economic Development Zone. Shenze’s policy advantages, location advantages and environmental advantages are increasingly prominent. Driven by the global ‘carbon-peak, carbon-neutral’ background, bioenergy as a strategic fulcrum of national energy layout has become Shenze County’s future development of the leading industry. It is promoted by Zhongneng Yida New Energy Company and Denmark’s Topsoe and is expected to reach 5.5 billion Chinese yuan (USD$763.6 million) in annual sales revenue.”

Zhongneng Yida expects to start construction in the third quarter of 2025 with operations to start in the first half of 2027.

It is expected the facility will initially export to the European market, with plans to also target the local market in China.

This agreement follows Topsoe’s recent announcements to provide its HydroFlex technology, proprietary equipment and catalysts to Zhejiang Jianglan Bio-Energy Technology Co. in April, Guangxi Free Trade Zone Chuangui Lingang New Energy Co. in January, and Guangxi Free Trade Zone Hungkun Biomass Fuel Co. in April 2024.

With HydroFlex, customers can convert various fats, oils and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel that meet all globally accepted specifications for these fuels.

Topsoe’s HydroFlex can be deployed in both grassroots units and revamps for coprocessing or fully renewable applications.