Haltermann Carless pauses sustainable aviation fuel project

Haltermann Carless has announced the suspension of its proposed investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production at its Speyer site in Germany, citing the absence of essential policy and commercial conditions required to move the project forward.

The project, which had advanced to the conceptual design stage, aimed to produce 60,000 tonnes of SAF annually using alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) technology. If realised, it would have marked the first commercial SAF production facility in Germany.

The company has spent several years developing and advocating for SAF as part of its broader commitment to low-carbon mobility solutions. Despite active engagement with government bodies and industry stakeholders across Germany and Europe, Haltermann Carless stated that it had not secured the necessary regulatory and investment framework to proceed.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Friesenhahn expressed disappointment that the SAF-AtJ investment would not advance under current conditions but reaffirmed the company’s belief in the importance of SAF for the future of aviation. He indicated that Haltermann Carless would continue working on alternative SAF solutions aligned with its long-standing focus on sustainability and hydrocarbons innovation.

Founded in 1859, Haltermann Carless is one of the world’s oldest chemical companies. It supplies specialised hydrocarbon-based solutions across sectors including mobility, life sciences, and energy. The company’s portfolio includes performance fuels, solvents, pentanes, middle distillates as well as energy products & services.

The company operates in Germany, France, the UK and the United States, and has earned multiple sustainability certifications, including EcoVadis Gold and ISCC PLUS.