• Sasol gains EU certification to export sustainable aviation fuel
• Output to rise from 1-2 million liters in 2026
• EU regulations drive demand as Sasol targets lower emissions

Sasol has secured international certification enabling it to export sustainable aviation fuel to Europe, the South African group said. It has received ISCC Plus certification, which certifies the sustainability of its production processes and opens access to the European market, where commercial aviation faces strict environmental requirements.

The certification, formally awarded on Thursday, April 23, confirms the traceability and sustainable origin of the raw materials used. Sasol produces the fuel from used cooking oils and vegetable oils, a process that reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional fossil-based kerosene.

Initial output will be modest. Sasol expects to produce between one and two million liters in 2026, rising to about 16 million liters in 2027. Longer term, the group is targeting up to 100 million liters per year, with additional capacity under consideration. “If we include Secunda, we are talking about 200 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030,” said Sarushen Pillay, executive vice president for strategy and technology.

Europe drives demand for sustainable fuels

The move comes as demand in Europe rises. The European Union is gradually mandating the use of sustainable fuels in aviation, requiring airlines to comply. This regulatory framework is reinforcing demand for sustainable aviation fuel.

Sasol, historically reliant on coal, is seeking to cut its carbon footprint. Sustainable fuel is one of the strategies it is pursuing. By 2030, the group aims to reduce its Scope 1 emissions, which are direct emissions, and Scope 2 emissions, which include purchased energy, by about one-third, according to its Integrated Report 2025 published in August.

To meet those targets, Sasol has adjusted its approach while maintaining its climate ambitions. It plans to reduce capital expenditure while continuing its decarbonization trajectory, with several industrial projects pushed back.

Its “Highlights of the Year 2025” document sets a target of 2 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. The scale-up is intended to supply its South African industrial sites with lower-carbon electricity, particularly at its main production facilities.

Sasol’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels page, updated in 2025, confirms it is developing fuels based on its proprietary ecoFT technology. Public documents also reference green hydrogen projects pursued with industrial partners.

The group is factoring evolving international regulations into its industrial decisions, highlighting how policy is shaping its transformation strategy.

Abdel-Latif Boureima