Sasol and Topsoe looks to refocus SAF partnership and wind down Zaffra JV
Sasol and Topsoe announce plans to restructure their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership, confirming their intention to wind-down their joint venture Zaffra while deepening their technology licensing collaboration through the Single Point Licensor (SPL) framework.
Zaffra was set up in 2023 to combine Sasol’s Fischer-Tropsch fuel technology with Topsoe’s clean fuels technologies, targeting emerging opportunities in the SAF space. The move follows a strategic review by the two companies, which have worked together for more than 30 years on commercialising complex, first-of-a-kind fuel technologies.
Since launch, Zaffra has helped the partnership build market insight, develop a project pipeline, and engage customers and value-chain partners across the sector. However, Sasol and Topsoe say the next phase of the SAF market calls for a more focused and flexible structure than the joint venture model offers.
“This carefully considered decision reflects the next organisational phase of Sasol and Topsoe’s work together in sustainable aviation fuel development,” said Simon Baloyi, President and CEO of Sasol. “Zaffra has helped establish an important foundation for this market, and we recognise the contribution made by the Zaffra team, customers and partners. We remain committed to building on this foundation through our long-standing technology-led collaboration with Topsoe and to supporting the development of sustainable fuels.”
The SPL framework, established in 2019, will become the central vehicle for the companies’ continued technology-led collaboration, with six licences already signed under it. The companies stressed that the decision marks an organisational shift rather than a retreat from SAF or from their partnership.
“Sasol and Topsoe have built a strong and trusted partnership over many years. As the SAF market evolves, it is important that our collaboration model evolves with it,” said Elena Scaltritti, president and CEO, Topsoe. “We will continue to strengthen our technology-led cooperation through the SPL framework and adjust the organisational structure for selected projects and priority initiatives to carry the partnership into the next phase of SAF development. We acknowledge the work done through Zaffra and will manage the transition responsibly with relevant stakeholders.”
Sasol and Topsoe say the wind-down process will be managed in a disciplined, orderly and compliant manner.