Energy and chemical company Sasol has signed a commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreement with luxury polar expedition operator White Desert, marking the first commercial SAF supply contract delivered within South Africa.
Announced at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit, the agreement provides for Sasol to supply locally produced SAF for White Desert’s flight operations between Cape Town and Antarctica. The deal is facilitated by the recent ISCC+ sustainability certification granted to Natref, the oil refinery joint venture in which Sasol holds a stake.
The SAF supplied under the agreement is processed from sustainable bio-feedstocks. Sasol positions the product as an initial step towards scaling future synthetic e-fuels produced using green hydrogen and captured carbon, utilizing existing fuel refining and distribution infrastructure.
Key operational metrics and strategic aspects include:
- Commercial scope: Delivery of Sasol’s initial commercial bio-SAF volumes to fuel White Desert’s intercontinental aviation route between South Africa and Antarctic landing sites.
- Production standards: Certification via Natref’s ISCC+ framework, verifying lower-carbon feedstock origins and lifecycle emissions reductions.
- Strategic roadmap: Utilization of bio-based SAF as an operational bridge toward long-term e-fuels development and regional green hydrogen commercialization across Southern Africa.
Dr Sarushen Pillay, Executive Vice President of Business Building, Strategy and Technology at Sasol, stated: “Today’s announcement shows that South Africa is not waiting on the sidelines of the energy transition. We are building practical solutions that connect industrial capability, customer demand and innovation. Through our partnership with White Desert, we are demonstrating how sustainable fuels can move from ambition to commercial reality.”
He added: “We do not decarbonise aviation by abandoning existing industrial assets, but by transforming them. South Africa has the fuels infrastructure, technical capability and export relationships needed to participate meaningfully in this market. Bio-SAF is the first proof point of that conversion, and a bridge to the e-fuels economy that follows.”
Patrick Woodhead, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of White Desert, commented: “It is incredible to now be able to source Sustainable Fuel in South Africa, made locally and with real carbon emission reductions. We are excited to be using this for our flights to Antarctica and being at the forefront of getting to net zero.”
