Siemens Backs CAPHENIA in Race to Mass-Produce SAF

A new partnership aims to industrialize plasma-based sustainable aviation fuel as Europe pushes to rapidly expand SAF supply

10 Mar 2026

Europe’s push for cleaner aviation took a notable step forward on 25 February 2026, when Siemens and German cleantech company CAPHENIA unveiled a strategic partnership to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel production. The agreement brings together two established players with a shared goal: turning an advanced fuel technology into a standardized industrial model that can be deployed worldwide.

At the center of the collaboration is CAPHENIA’s Plasma Boudouard Reactor. The system converts biomethane into synthesis gas at temperatures near 1,500 degrees Celsius, which is then processed into synthetic kerosene. According to the company, the fuel can cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel while achieving process efficiency above 86 percent.

Siemens will serve as CAPHENIA’s preferred automation and digitalization partner. Its Xcelerator portfolio will support process control, drive systems, measurement technology, and digital engineering tools designed to streamline plant operations.

One of the most significant tools is the digital twin. By creating a virtual replica of a production facility, engineers can simulate operations and fine tune performance before construction begins. That approach can shorten commissioning timelines and make it easier to replicate new plants in different locations.

The partnership arrives at a critical moment for the aviation sector. Europe’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation now requires sustainable aviation fuel blending at major airports across the bloc, with mandates rising through 2030 and beyond. Yet SAF still represents less than one percent of global jet fuel consumption today, leaving a massive gap between policy ambition and available supply.

Both companies see scale as the decisive factor. Christian Gückel of Siemens Digital Industries said demand for SAF is set to grow rapidly, and the industry must expand production capacity just as quickly. CAPHENIA founder Dr. Mark Misselhorn noted that companies able to move fast and build the right partnerships will shape a market that is expanding unevenly as competition intensifies.

Work is already underway at CAPHENIA’s pilot plant at Frankfurt’s Industriepark Höchst. There, the partners are developing a repeatable automation template designed to support global commercial expansion and help Europe stay ahead in the race to decarbonize aviation.