SynFuels - On the way to large-scale production in Switzerland

Climate change is becoming increasingly noticeable in Switzerland. The rapid retreat of glaciers in the Alps is already having a significant impact on the country's ecosystem, agriculture and hydropower. The production of synthetic aviation fuels (SAF) from CO2 can help to decarbonise the aviation industry and thus mitigate the effects of global warming.

In this project, the feasibility of a hybrid SAF pilot plant in Switzerland is being investigated: on the one hand, it should produce a commercial demand for SAF, but on the other hand also allow the test operation of new technologies in a separate line and thus meet the development needs for optimisation. Such a plant requires a source of CO2, e.g. from a waste incineration plant or a biogas plant, and renewable energy for hydrogen production. 16 locations in Switzerland have already been evaluated on the basis of facts for a suitable installation and infrastructure for transporting the SAF.

The in-depth technical assessment, including the value chains for paraffin and by-products, available technologies, mass and energy flows will be carried out for 2 to 3 potential sites with suitable characteristics. Finally, technology concepts are proposed and production and financial flows are evaluated, reflecting the current commercial situation for process routes such as Fischer-Tropsch or the methanol route.