Ambition to execution: Zaffra’s bid to make eSAF bankable

opinion

by Fayaz Hussain

January 21, 2026

The word Zaffra can mean different things across different cultures – from victory in Arabic to harvest in Spanish. But for Bjorn Breckx, head of Sales at eSAF developer Zaffra, the name represents a clear ambition grounded in industrial experience.

“By 2040, we want to be one of the top three eSAF players globally, with a strong double-digit market share,” Breckx tells SAF Investor. This is a bold statement for a company launched just two years ago. “But our differentiation is not ambition alone,” he adds. “It is certainty of execution, competitiveness and reliable supply.”

But Zaffra isn’t starting from scratch. The venture emerged from 30-year partnership between technology companies Sasol and Topsoe. The two have been perfecting synthetic fuel technology for decades now.

Sasol and Topsoe have offered a single-point joint licence gas-to-liquid and power-to-liquid technology since 2019. But the two came together to form Zaffra with the goal of scaling eSAF.

“We are not only combining these world-leading technology solutions, but also complementary capabilities,” Breckx explains. “We have this experience in complex projects. Both companies completed gas-to-liquid projects in Qatar, Uzbekistan, Nigeria and South Africa. They have the operational know-how of synthetic fuels plants, and it enhances the competitive advantage and provides a compelling value proposition for the partners and also for the financiers in developing those new ventures.”

With strong tailwinds from mandates, Zaffra aims to capitalise on the opportunity. “We have the eSAF mandate announcements in 2023 from the UK and the European Union about blending targets,” Breckx highlights. “700 kilotons will be needed to satisfy the mandates in 2030.”

Topsoe already commands significant market share in SAF technology licensing while Sasol brings operational expertise from synthetic fuel plants.

“Overall, we want to make eSAF a commercial reality this decade,” Breckx says. “We want to bring large-scale eSAF production to life in the next few years, between now and 2030, with a strong early focus on Europe, notably Germany, Iberia and the Nordics. Zaffra is also exploring opportunities in markets like the Far East.”

A flagship example of Zaffra’s execution-led approach is the Concrete Chemicals project in Brandenburg, Germany, developed together with renewable energy company ENERTRAG SE. “This project demonstrates what bankable eSAF looks like,” Breckx explains. “It combines proven Fischer-Tropsch technology, secured renewable power and hydrogen supply, and proximity to Berlin airport.”

In Iberia, Zaffra has partnered with Moeve to develop eSAF projects in Spain, Europe’s second-largest jet fuel market. The collaboration combines Moeve’s renewable energy capabilities and market presence with Zaffra’s technology, project development and operational expertise to support scalable eSAF supply aligned with ReFuelEU targets.

But technological prowess alone isn’t enough. More than 40 eSAF facilities have been announced in Europe with none reaching final investment decision (FID).

“There isn’t a single hurdle,” Breckx says. “There are several: perceived policy uncertainty, pricing risks, access to airport fuel infrastructure often controlled by incumbent oil majors, and the risk of signing up with suppliers that ultimately do not reach completion.”

“Aviation fuel buyers are understandably cautious,” he adds. “They want to avoid backing projects that look attractive on paper but fail to reach FID.”

To solve this, Breckx says both sides, buyers and suppliers, need to recalibrate their approach. “That means thorough due diligence and diversification. Buyers are increasingly spreading volumes across credible suppliers and prioritising projects with proven technology, experienced operators and secured infrastructure.”

Zaffra has developed the pitch with these realities in mind. “Our shareholders own the core technologies, which gives us a structural cost advantage through higher yields, longer catalyst life and better plant availability over the full asset life,” he says.

But Breckx says EU’s policy support announced recently will help eSAF lift off. “I think it brought incredible momentum to the eSAF market,” Breckx says of Sustainable Transport Investment Plan launched by the EU in November last year.

“It clearly recognises the need for additional (governmental) support to overcome recurring market failures that have prevented European projects to reach FID thus far. This can be incentives but also market facilitation to secure long-term off-take agreements, for example.”

Zaffra also plans to participate in the double-sided auction announced by EU member countries backing the e-SAF Early Movers’ Alliance for 2026. “We are actively supporting this and we very much welcome this initiative,” Breckx confirms. While this policy support injects confidence in the eSAF market and support firms like Zaffra in providing demand visibility and revenue certainty, Breckx says their capital strategy remains deliberately flexible.

“We are exploring partnerships for our projects and we have strong investor interest. Overall, we are structuring our partnerships to ensure that we have financial resilience and long-term viability,” Breckx explains. For Zaffra, this flexibility in project-level equity participation enables risk-sharing while managing the capital intensity inherent in eSAF facilities.

Granted that the goal of being the top three player in the eSAF market by 2040 is ambitious, Breckx is clear-eyed but confident.

“eSAF will only scale if it is reliable, competitive and delivered by partners who know how to execute,” he concludes. “With our shareholders’ track record, projects like Concrete Chemicals and a growing international pipeline, we believe we are well positioned to help move eSAF from promise to production.”

If Breckx and his team are successful, they will bring together both meanings of the word Zaffra – harvest and victory.