e-SAF pilot project · Charleroi, Belgium
A planned pilot plant in Charleroi producing electro-synthetic kerosene (e-SAF) and e-LPG from biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen and renewable electricity.
eKeroBel is a planned first-of-a-kind pilot plant in Charleroi, designed to produce around 440 tonnes per year of electro-synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), together with an e-LPG co-product. It brings carbon capture, green hydrogen, renewable electricity and proven conversion technologies together into a single, integrated Power-to-Liquid chain. The purpose of the pilot is to validate the complete process under industrial conditions and reduce its risks, as a step towards larger-scale commercial production.
≈ 440 t/yr
Planned e-SAF output, plus an e-LPG co-product
> 70%
Targeted lifecycle CO₂ reduction versus fossil jet fuel
ASTM D7566
Designed to meet the standard for drop-in jet fuel, usable in today's aircraft
TRL 5 → 7
A first-of-a-kind pilot advancing the technology towards commercial readiness
In two minutes
A short overview of how eKeroBel turns captured CO₂, green hydrogen and renewable power into sustainable aviation fuel.
Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. It accounts for an estimated 2 to 3% of global CO₂ emissions, and for long-distance flights there is no battery or hydrogen alternative in sight. Liquid fuels will be needed for decades to come.
e-SAF is chemically close to conventional kerosene, so it can be used in today's aircraft and existing airport infrastructure without modification.
Synthetic e-SAF is produced from captured CO₂ and renewable power, avoiding the land use and feedstock limits that constrain bio-based fuels.
Under the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, fuel suppliers must blend a rising share of sustainable aviation fuel, including a dedicated sub-target for synthetic e-SAF from 2030. This creates durable, long-term demand.
eKeroBel combines four building blocks into a single, continuous Power-to-Liquid process. Renewable inputs go in at one end, and certifiable aviation fuel comes out at the other.
Flip a card for detail
Biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen and renewable power.
Biogenic CO₂ is captured from a sustainable source, and green hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis driven by renewable electricity. Around 11 MWp of agrivoltaic solar matches the plant's annual power demand.
≈ 3.1 t CO₂ and 0.5 t H₂ per tonne of fuel
CO₂: ARK · Power: RaYSun
CO₂ and hydrogen become a stable liquid intermediate.
CO₂ and green hydrogen react over a catalyst to form green methanol, a stable and easy-to-handle intermediate that decouples hydrogen production from fuel synthesis. The reaction is exothermic and its heat is recovered on site.
≈ 2.3 t methanol per tonne of fuel
Reactor technology: KHIMOD
Methanol is converted into kerosene-range hydrocarbons.
A catalytic Methanol-to-Jet step converts the methanol into a mix of kerosene-range hydrocarbons, with light hydrocarbons recovered as an e-LPG co-product. No external hydrogen is needed in this step.
e-SAF : e-LPG ≈ 4 : 1
Conversion technology: Vertimass
Certifiable e-SAF, ready for today's aircraft.
Separation and finishing yield e-SAF designed to meet the ASTM D7566 standard for drop-in jet fuel, blendable with conventional kerosene and usable in existing aircraft, plus an e-LPG co-product. The fuel qualifies as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin under EU rules.
≈ 440 t/yr e-SAF + 110 t/yr e-LPG · > 70% lower CO₂
Standard: ASTM D7566
eKeroBel is planned for a cleantech-focused industrial site in Charleroi, in the Walloon region of Belgium. The location combines an industrial setting with strong logistics and direct relevance to the aviation sector.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is nearby, creating a natural link between fuel production and the aviation sector.
The site sits within an industrial zone focused on clean technologies, with the utilities and space a pilot plant needs.
Charleroi has a deep industrial heritage and is actively reinventing itself around low-carbon industry.
See how CO₂, hydrogen and power become aviation fuel.
Estimate the CO₂ avoided versus fossil jet fuel.
Understand Europe's rising SAF blending obligation.
The project is currently in its development and engineering phase. The integrated process has been designed, key partnerships are in place at letter-of-intent stage, and the focus now is on securing the financing needed to reach a final investment decision.
2024-2027 · in progress
2027-2028 · target
2028-2030 · target
from 2030 · target
Indicative timeline, subject to financing and the final investment decision.
Press
What has been written about eKeroBel and synthetic aviation fuel.
eKeroBel is being developed with the support of leading European technology, industrial and financial partners.
Wallonie Entreprendre
Lead investor
ARK Capture Solutions
Biogenic CO₂ supply
RaYSun
Renewable electricity
Zeton
Engineering and construction
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Local airport partner
District Cleantech
Host site
KHIMOD
Process technology
Vertimass
Process technology
Ionect
Engineering and development
Wallonie Entreprendre
Lead investor
ARK Capture Solutions
Biogenic CO₂ supply
RaYSun
Renewable electricity
Zeton
Engineering and construction
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Local airport partner
District Cleantech
Host site
KHIMOD
Process technology
Vertimass
Process technology
Ionect
Engineering and development
Partnerships are at letter-of-intent stage and subject to the project reaching financial close.
Partners, press and interested parties are welcome to reach out.
