Sasol, Topsoe Trade Partnership for Playbook

Sasol and Topsoe are closing joint venture Zaffra, betting that a licensing model will move faster as SAF demand surges

30 Jun 2026

Sasol and Danish catalyst maker Topsoe are restructuring their partnership on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The two companies will wind down Zaffra, the joint venture they formed to develop SAF technology, and route future collaboration through a Single Point Licensor framework instead.

That framework already covers much of the pair's technical work and dates to 2019. Using it as the main vehicle gives each company more room to pursue separate projects while keeping the shared expertise built up through Zaffra. Both firms described the change as a deliberate shift in approach rather than a step back from the SAF market.

"As the SAF market evolves, it is important that our collaboration model evolves with it," said Topsoe president and chief executive Elena Scaltritti. Sasol chief executive Simon Baloyi called the move part of the next phase in the companies' joint SAF development work.

The restructuring points to a broader pattern: even established partnerships in low-carbon fuels are adjusting their structures as the industry matures. Licensing arrangements typically allow more flexible project configurations than a joint venture, which could make it easier for airlines, fuel distributors and infrastructure investors to bring new SAF projects forward.

Demand forecasts for SAF are rising, and several governments are tightening blending mandates that require airlines to use a growing share of low-carbon fuel. Against that backdrop, the timing of the shift is notable. It positions both companies to work with a wider range of partners while preserving the technology base they built together, at a point when the sector needs more proven, scalable production methods.

Whether the new structure delivers faster project rollout than the joint venture model remains to be seen.