MB Energy and Metafuels strengthen collaboration to advance European e-SAF value chain
MB Energy and Metafuels are entering a collaboration to take certified synthetic aviation fuels (e-SAF) from production all the way to the wing. The agreements, signed at the opening of Metafuels’ demonstration plant in Switzerland, strengthen the European e-SAF value chain and support the development of a resilient and independent supply chain, beginning with Metafuels’ Turbe project in Rotterdam.
Together, Metafuels and MB Energy will work across market access, blending, infrastructure and logistics, including certification and information flow for e-SAF deployment. The collaboration is intended to close the infrastructure gap, developing the solutions needed to take fuel from production all the way to the plane. In addition, under a proposed methanol arrangement, MB Energy would also be a potential supplier of methanol feedstock.
Metafuels’ technology converts methanol produced from renewable feedstocks into future oriented aviation fuel. For Metafuels the collaboration forms part of its wider development of its supply chain ahead of Turbe's launch in 2030, a chain intended to be fully independent, resilient to global events affecting SAF supply, and built on partnerships across feedstock, logistics and delivery.
MB Energy sees the collaboration as an opportunity to contribute its global trading, logistics, infrastructure and certification capabilities, and to scale up new e-SAF supply pathways.
“This is a major step towards getting e-SAF into plane wings,” said Philipp Kroepels, Director New Energy at MB Energy. “Reducing the carbon intensity of aviation fuels will require strong partnerships that connect innovative technologies, renewable molecules, reliable infrastructure and customer access. The energy transition is a long-term endeavour, and meaningful progress will be achieved through collaboration and shared commitment across the entire value chain. We’re excited to partner with Metafuels on this mission.”
The agreements demonstrate momentum, with both companies recognising the need to develop new solutions to achieve large-scale adoption of synthetic aviation fuel. As well as regulatory certainty, the development of end-to-end infrastructure and transport solutions capable of delivering blended, certified e-SAF to the wing is key. With this initiative, MB Energy and Metafuels will establish just such a solution.
Matthias Schnellmann, Vice President Commercial at Metafuels, said: “With the opening of our demonstration plant, the world’s first methanol-to-jet facility, we are translating innovation into an industrial solution for aviation. Scaling e-SAF is a supply chain challenge as much as a technology one. We look forward to our important work together to bring e-SAF to market with MB Energy.”
About MB Energy
The MB Energy Group, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Hamburg, is an independent, integrated energy company with operations across Europe, the United States, and Singapore. The company engages in the import, storage, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products, LPG, chemicals, and biofuels. With decades of industry experience and forward-looking approach, MB Energy plays an active role in the global energy landscape and supports the transition to lower emissions fuels through the development and provision of future-oriented alternatives.
About Metafuels
Metafuels is a Zurich-based aviation technology company developing proprietary sustainable fuel technologies, with an initial focus on synthetic aviation fuel. Metafuels’ aerobrew process converts renewable methanol into jet fuel with ultra-high carbon efficiency, delivering up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions than fossil kerosene. The company’s fuels are fully compatible with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure, providing a direct, scalable pathway to aviation decarbonisation. For more information, visit metafuels.ch.