Synthetic kerosene

Royal Schiphol Group is participating in two start-ups – Zenid and Synkero – that are making big leaps in the development and production of synthetic kerosene. Synthetic kerosene is a sustainable fuel. The development of synthetic kerosene is an important step towards a carbon-neutral aviation sector. An advantage of this fuel is that it can be used in existing types of aircraft.

Made from CO₂, hydrogen and electricity

Synthetic fuel is made from CO₂ captured from air, water and green electricity. Sustainable electricity is used to turn the captured CO₂ and water into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Hydrocarbons are then made from this gas mixture. Hydrocarbons form the basis of synthetic kerosene. This fuel is then mixed with fossil fuel so that it can be used in all kinds of aircraft.

Zenid: 1,000 litres per day

Zenid’s goal is to set up a test plant that will be able to produce 1,000 litres of synthetic kerosene per day in the near future. This test plant will be located at or in the vicinity of Rotterdam The Hague Airport, a Royal Schiphol Group airport.

Synkero: 50,000 tonnes per year

Synkero wants to establish a commercial synthetic kerosene plant on Port of Amsterdam land, from where there’ll be a direct connection to Schiphol. If everything goes according to plan, the plant should be up and running in 2027 and will provide 50,000 tonnes of synthetic kerosene each year.