Emerson has been selected by Technip Energies to provide automation technologies for SkyNRG’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant currently under construction in Delfzijl, Netherlands. The facility is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually once fully operational in 2028.
The plant will convert residual fats and greases into a “drop-in” sustainable aviation fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications to aircraft or existing fuelling infrastructure. The project is intended to contribute to the Netherlands’ efforts to meet European Union SAF requirements and support the objectives of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation.
Under the regulation, jet fuel supplied at EU airports is required to contain at least 2% SAF from 2025, with the requirement scheduled to increase progressively to 70% by 2050. The development of dedicated SAF production capacity is expected to support the aviation sector’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels.
Emerson will provide its DeltaV integrated control and safety system (ICSS), incorporating the DeltaV Distributed Control System and DeltaV Safety Instrumented System. The systems will support process control, safety shutdown functions and fire and gas detection across the facility.
AMS Device Manager software will provide access to field device information, equipment health insights and diagnostics. The technology is designed to support commissioning activities and ongoing maintenance by providing operators and maintenance teams with greater visibility into device performance.
The automation systems will manage the plant’s process units, including the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process used to produce SAF, an advanced feedstock pre-treatment unit and an on-site hydrogen plant. The hydrogen facility will use Technip Energies’ proprietary high-efficiency steam methane reforming technology.
Emerson will also provide end-to-end project services and integrate the integrated control and safety system with the plant’s modular production units. DeltaV Electronic Marshalling with distributed CHARMs will be used to simplify field wiring infrastructure, with the aim of reducing associated costs and providing greater flexibility to accommodate late-stage engineering and design changes.
“Developing Europe’s first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel facility is a major step in scaling SAF production and supporting aviation decarbonization,” said Bart Rosendaal, Site Director of DSL-01 at SkyNRG. “Working with experienced partners like Technip Energies and Emerson helps ensure we can deliver a safe, reliable and future-ready plant from day one.”
Nathan Pettus, President of Emerson’s Process Systems and Solutions business, said, “Projects such as SkyNRG’s SAF facility represent the future of energy and sustainable fuels. With complex, first-of-a-kind plants, early engineering alignment and a fully integrated automation architecture are key to delivering predictable project outcomes and consistent operational performance over the long term.”
Founded in 1890, Emerson has evolved from an electric motor manufacturer into a multinational corporation serving industrial, commercial, and residential markets. It delivers products such as process control systems, measurement instruments, industrial valves, and industrial software used in sectors like energy, chemicals, life sciences, and manufacturing. Emerson’s mission is to solve complex industrial challenges through digital transformation and intelligent automation. Its solutions help companies reduce energy use, increase productivity, enhance safety, and achieve sustainability goals.
With thousands of employees and operations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and other regions, Emerson has built a strong global presence. The company continues to invest in innovation, including Industrial Internet of Things technologies and software platforms, to support the future of smart manufacturing and automation.
