- The world’s first commercial-scale SAF facility to secure non-recourse project financing, setting a new benchmark for bankable SAF infrastructure globally
- DSL-01 will create more than 100 direct jobs and strengthen the northern Netherlands as a leading European hub for sustainable industry, innovation, and energy transition
- DSL-01 serves as a global blueprint for commercially scalable SAF production, demonstrating how sustainable aviation can move from pilot projects to industrial-scale reality
Delfzijl, the Netherlands, May 28. Today SkyNRG and KLM celebrate the official start of construction of DSL-01, the Netherlands’ first facility fully dedicated to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Located in Delfzijl, the project marks a major milestone in scaling up SAF production in the Netherlands and advancing the decarbonization of aviation.
Developed by SkyNRG, DSL-01 is also the first commercial-scale SAF plant globally to secure non-recourse project financing, highlighting growing confidence in scalable SAF production and establishing a model for future sustainable fuel projects worldwide. KLM Dutch Royal Airlines is the primary off-taker for the SAF produced, playing a key role in enabling the project through its long-term offtake commitment.
Once fully operational in 2028, the facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually using low-quality feedstocks such as used cooking oil and residual fats and greases. Through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway, the facility will produce SAF with significantly lower lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, while also generating renewable co-products including propane, butane, and naphtha.
Through the European Just Transition Fund (JTF) and on behalf of the JTF partners in the north, the Northern Netherlands Alliance (Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland) has awarded a subsidy of 16 million euros to SkyNRG. This in recognition of the project’s strategic importance to the Northern Netherlands’ energy transition. The investment supports the region’s shift from a fossil fuel-dependent economy following the cessation of gas extraction in Groningen, helping to drive sustainable innovation, new economic activity, and future-proof employment opportunities.
DSL-01 will create more than 100 direct jobs and further strengthen the Northern Netherlands as a leading European hub for sustainable industry, innovation, and energy transition. The project will play a catalytic role in the continued development of the regional industrial cluster while contributing to European and global climate goals.
Marjan Rintel, CEO KLM: “As the world’s first airline, our long-term offtake guarantee directly contributes to the financing and realization of this facility. And today, this project finally becomes tangible as we celebrate the groundbreaking together with SkyNRG and other guests. I’m proud that KLM, as a founding member of SkyNRG and its largest DSL-01’s fuel customer, is taking an important step in scaling up SAF production in the Netherlands and advancing the sustainability of aviation.”
Maarten van Dijk, CEO SkyNRG: “The start of construction of DSL-01 marks a defining moment for sustainable aviation. This project demonstrates that large scale SAF production is moving from ambition to implementation. Together with committed partners like KLM, we are building critical infrastructure that will help accelerate aviation transition towards lower emissions while strengthening Europe’s sustainable fuel industry. The project will also create more than 100 direct jobs, further reinforcing the northern Netherlands as a leading hub for industry innovation and energy transition.”
The start of construction also highlights the importance of continued investment and policy support to accelerate SAF production capacity across Europe. SkyNRG and KLM therefore call for ongoing collaboration between governments, industry partners, fuel producers, and airlines to scale SAF availability and support the aviation sector’s long-term decarbonization ambitions.
Notes To Editors
About KLM
For 106 years, KLM has been connecting people with each other and the world. Tens of millions of customers choose to fly KLM every year, for business, leisure, visiting friends or family, to study abroad, et cetera. The 160+ destinations in the KLM network connect the Netherlands with all of the world’s key economic regions and is a powerful economic engine. At the same time, we want to fly cleaner, quieter and more efficient. Every day we take big and small steps towards achieving this ambition so that we can continue to be a great airline for our customers for the centuries to come.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is part of the Air France–KLM Group and member of the global SkyTeam Alliance. For more information about KLM, please visit KLM.com, KLM Newsroom, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About Just Transition Fund (JTF), Province of Groningen
The Just Transition Fund (JTF) in the Province of Groningen is a European Union funding program designed to support regions that are most affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy. In Groningen, the fund focuses on addressing the socioeconomic impacts of the decline in natural gas extraction while promoting new economic opportunities and sustainable growth. It supports projects in innovation, labour market development, retraining, and collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and 0government bodies to strengthen the regional economy. The JTF in Northern Netherlands, including Groningen, is implemented through the Northern Netherlands Partnership (SNN) and aims to help create future-proof employment and a more resilient, green economy for the region. Find more information here.
