Topsoe has been selected to deliver advanced Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) technology for Carbon Neutral Fuels' e-SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project, Project Starling, in Workington, UK. The facility will consume 120MW of green power and is expected to produce 25,000 metric tons of e-SAF per year. Construction is planned for 2028 with operations expected in 2031 pending final investment decision.

The project received the largest e-fuels award from the UK Government's third Advanced Fuels Fund, directly delivering on the UK's SAF Mandate. Topsoe has signed a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) agreement with Carbon Neutral Fuels based on Topsoe's state-of-the-art SOEC electrolyzers for the commercial-scale e-SAF project.

First Commercial SOEC Application for SAF Production

This agreement marks the first commercial application of Topsoe's SOEC technology for SAF production. Sundus Cordelia Ramli, CCO, Power-to-X at Topsoe, stated: “Incorporating our SOEC technology into Carbon Neutral Fuels' SAF project is a moment of significant pride for Topsoe. Carbon Neutral Fuels is at the frontier of the UK's decarbonization ambitions, delivering a significant SAF project using mature and diversified production technologies.

We're pleased to have them onboard as our first SOEC customer for commercial SAF production, and we're excited to help deliver the project alongside the project's consortium.”

Alasdair Lumsden, Co-Founder at Carbon Neutral Fuels, added: “We're thrilled to have Topsoe as our SOEC partner in the ASAP-DAC project. The levels of data and research backing the efficacy of their technologies were instrumental in building confidence in their product, and we look forward to doing our share in regards to the decarbonization of the aviation sector and deliver on the UK's Jet Zero initiatives.”

Manufacturing and Delivery Timeline

The electrolyzer stacks for the project will be delivered from Topsoe's SOEC manufacturing facility based in Herning, Denmark. First deliveries are expected in 2028 pending CNF taking Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project.

Project Starling is described as a first-of-a-kind Power-to-Liquid e-fuel facility that aims to use Topsoe's SOEC electrolyzers to produce 25,000 metric tons of e-SAF per year. The project is currently undergoing Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, with construction planned for 2028 and operations targeted for 2031.

Environmental Impact and Government Support

Once fully operational, the facility is projected to achieve an 89% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to fossil jet fuel, making a significant contribution to the UK's climate targets. In July 2025, Project Starling received the largest grant awarded to an e-fuels company, comprising £6 million, out of 17 projects from the UK Government Department for Transport's Advanced Fuel Fund Window 3, which aims to accelerate the development of the UK's SAF sector and support delivery of the government's Jet Zero Strategy and SAF mandate.

SOEC Technology Advantages

Topsoe's solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC) electrolysis technology is a modular design that operates at significantly higher temperatures compared to other electrolyzer technologies – a tested and proven process that enables industrial-scale production of green hydrogen using renewable electricity.

Topsoe's SOEC electrolyzer produces more hydrogen per unit of power input than alkaline or PEM technologies – achieving around 20% higher efficiency, which can increase to 30% with steam integration – yielding significantly greater hydrogen output. It further allows for the lowest levelized hydrogen cost per megawatt volume, no matter the industry.

Carbon Neutral Fuels is described as one of Europe's leading power-to-liquid companies, pioneering the development of sustainable e-fuels and building a bridge between today's aviation needs and tomorrow's climate considerations. The company has two key projects in its pipeline.

Project Starling, formerly ASAP-DAC, is the UK's first-of-a-kind Power-to-Liquid e-Fuel facility with planned capability to deliver 25,000 tons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel annually. The upcoming ASAP-MTJ, Methanol-to-Jet facility, is currently at pre-FEED stage and planning to produce more than 200,000 tons of SAF per annum.

Topsoe is a leading global provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition. Built on decades of scientific research and innovation, the company works with customers and partners to drive energy resiliency and achieve sustainability goals. Topsoe offers world-leading solutions for transforming renewable resources into fuels and chemicals, and provides technologies needed to produce low-carbon and conventional fuels and chemicals, as well as ensuring clean air.

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