Phelan Green announced on April 1 that it has chosen Honeywell’s renewable fuel process technology for its planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, South Africa.
The decision marks a significant development for both Phelan Green and the broader clean fuels sector in South Africa. The new facility aims to support the country’s efforts to become a competitive exporter of next-generation aviation fuels while contributing to job creation and industrial growth.
Phelan eFuels, a subsidiary of Phelan Green, will use Honeywell UOP’s Fischer Tropsch (FT) Unicracking process technology. This method converts FT liquids and waxes made from carbon dioxide into eSAF that meets international aviation standards. Chairman Paschal Phelan said, “We selected Honeywell’s Fischer Tropsch Unicracking process technology because it provides a proven, bankable pathway to produce sustainable aviation fuel at scale. This project is a major milestone for Phelan Green and for South Africa’s emerging eFuels economy, and demonstrates our commitment to industrial development, job creation and innovative energy projects that are at the cutting edge of emission reduction.”
The Saldanha Bay facility is part of the larger Phelan Green Hydrogen Project—a R47 billion (about US $2.5 billion) private investment recognized by the South African government as nationally strategic. Once operational, it will be among the first commercial-scale eSAF production facilities worldwide with plans to supply over 140,000 tons of eSAF annually to European Union and United Kingdom markets.
Rajesh Gattupalli, president of Honeywell UOP said, “Honeywell’s technologies are designed to enable scalable, efficient and flexible production of low-carbon fuels. In this case, our Fischer Tropsch Unicracking process technology will help support Phelan eFuels’ goal to encourage commercial scale sustainable aviation fuel production in South Africa.” Construction on the new plant is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and is expected to create thousands of local jobs during multiple phases.
Phelan Green has been developing clean energy projects for more than two decades through initiatives focused on green hydrogen and industrial decarbonization. The company says its efforts support global moves toward reducing emissions in sectors such as aviation.
