Energy and chemicals group Sasol and carbon-reduction technology company Topsoe say they will be refocusing the organisational structure of their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership to prepare for an orderly wind-down of their joint venture (JV) Zaffra.

The two companies will continue to enhance their long-standing technology-led licensing collaboration through the Single Point Licensor (SPL) framework established in 2019.

Sasol and Topsoe have worked together for more than 30 years, combining deep technology expertise and a strong record of jointly commercialising complex and innovative solutions.

Since its establishment, Sasol acknowledges that Zaffra has played a key role in strengthening its partnership with Topsoe, building market insight, developing a quality pipeline and engaging with customers and value-chain stakeholders in the SAF sector.

As the SAF market continues to develop, Sasol and Topsoe have concluded that the next phase of collaboration will be best supported through a more focused and flexible structure, allowing the companies to continue working together where their combined technology offering creates value, while enabling more tailored approaches to selected projects, innovation activities and market-development opportunities.

The companies will also assess whether more targeted structures may be appropriate for selected projects or priority initiatives where deeper collaboration is required.

“This carefully considered decision reflects the next organisational phase of Sasol and Topsoe’s work together in SAF development,” says Sasol CEO and president Simon Baloyi.

“Zaffra has helped establish an important foundation for this market and we recognise the contribution made by the Zaffra team, customers and partners. We remain committed to building on this foundation through our long-standing technology-led collaboration with Topsoe and to supporting the development of sustainable fuels,” he adds.

Sasol and Topsoe will engage responsibly with Zaffra’s customers, value-chain partners, employees and other relevant stakeholders to protect important relationships, reduce uncertainty and support continuity during the transition.

“Sasol and Topsoe have built a strong and trusted partnership over many years. As the SAF market evolves, it is important that our collaboration model evolves with it.

“We will continue [to] strengthen our technology-led cooperation through the SPL framework and adjust the organisational structure for selected projects and priority initiatives, to carry the partnership into the next phase of SAF development. We acknowledge the work done through Zaffra and will manage the transition responsibly with relevant stakeholders,” Topsoe president and CEO Elena Scaltritti says.