e-SAF pilot project · Charleroi, Belgium
Turning captured CO₂ into sustainable aviation fuel.
A planned pilot plant in Charleroi producing electro-synthetic kerosene (e-SAF) and e-LPG from biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen and renewable electricity.
The project
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
Why it matters for aviation
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.
A true drop-in solution
e-SAF is chemically close to conventional kerosene, so it can be used in today's aircraft and existing airport infrastructure without modification.
Made from CO₂, not crops
Synthetic e-SAF is produced from captured CO₂ and renewable power, avoiding the land use and feedstock limits that constrain bio-based fuels.
Backed by EU policy
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.
How it works
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
Renewable inputs
Biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen and renewable power.
Renewable inputs
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
Green methanol
CO₂ and hydrogen become a stable liquid intermediate.
Green methanol
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-to-Jet
Methanol is converted into kerosene-range hydrocarbons.
Methanol-to-Jet
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
Drop-in fuels
Certifiable e-SAF, ready for today's aircraft.
Drop-in fuels
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
The site: Charleroi
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.
Close to the airport
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is nearby, creating a natural link between fuel production and the aviation sector.
A dedicated cleantech zone
The site sits within an industrial zone focused on clean technologies, with the utilities and space a pilot plant needs.
Part of a regional transition
Charleroi has a deep industrial heritage and is actively reinventing itself around low-carbon industry.
Explore the project
From CO₂ to jet fuel
See how CO₂, hydrogen and power become aviation fuel.
Climate impact
Estimate the CO₂ avoided versus fossil jet fuel.
The SAF mandate
Understand Europe's rising SAF blending obligation.
Where the project stands
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.
Development & engineering
2024-2027 · in progress
Financing & investment decision
2027-2028 · target
Construction & commissioning
2028-2030 · target
Operations & demonstration
from 2030 · target
Indicative timeline, subject to financing and the final investment decision.
With the support of our partners
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.
Get in touch
Partners, press and interested parties are welcome to reach out.