From feasibility to industrial production
Our first project is a Power-to-eMethanol-to-SAF demonstration plant and innovation platform at Sisslerfeld in the canton of Aargau. The feasibility study is complete. We are now forming the research and industry consortium that will finance, build and operate it.
The project
The plant will produce eMethanol from renewable electricity and recycled CO₂ on a commercial scale, part of which will be converted into eKerosene via the methanol-to-jet route. At the same time it serves as an innovation platform: research teams can test and scale their components under real industrial conditions.
Sisslerfeld offers what such a plant needs – green hydrogen, an industrial CO₂ source, heat integration with the surrounding industry and a real-world laboratory for energy and mobility backed by the canton. Locally produced eMethanol will also help defossilise industry in the Fricktal region.
Feasibility study (October 2024 – January 2026)
The study was carried out by AFRY Switzerland with Casale as technology partner. It confirms the technical feasibility and delivers the basis for the next phase: site and integration concept, basic specification, permitting roadmap and techno-economic model.
Key findings:
- Surplus summer electricity makes the demonstration scale economically viable
- The methanol route keeps the plant flexible across aviation, industry and shipping
Timeline
- 2025–2027: project development, site and business plan
- 2027–2029: tendering and final investment decision
- 2029–2034: permitting, engineering, construction and commissioning
- November 2034: start of commercial operation
What we are doing now
We are forming the research and industry consortium for the next phase and preparing the financing. Funding applications are under way with Swiss foundations and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation’s Aviation and Climate programme.
If you want to be part of the consortium – as technology provider, industrial partner, offtaker or investor – contact us.
Partners of the feasibility study
Canton of Aargau · Cat Aviation · Groupe E · naturenergie holding · Pilatus Aircraft
Scientific advisory group: AEW Energie, armasuisse, Empa, ETH Zurich, FHNW, FOCA, Hightech Zentrum Aargau, OST, PSI
Supported by the Coalition for Green Energy & Storage (ETH Zurich, EPFL, PSI, Empa) and SPIN. Airborn Fuels Switzerland is a partner in the refuel.ch research consortium.
