Syzygy adds to global expansion plans with MoU to develop biogas-to-SAF projects in Brazil

US light-driven chemical reactor technology company Syzygy Plasmonics has signed a MoU with Brazil’s Geo bio gas&carbon to develop commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel projects in Brazil. Geo is a leading sugarcane and ethanol waste to biogas developer and operator, and the agreement will leverage the company’s expertise in operating biogas assets paired with Syzygy’s electrified GHG e-Reforming technology to convert biogas derived from sugarcane crop residues into SAF and other low-carbon fuels. Initial efforts will target sites capable of producing up to 100,000 tonnes per year, with final aggregate scale-up anticipated at over 525,000 tonnes annually. Syzygy has also added other biogas-to-fuel MoUs and planned projects in place in the United States, Mexico, Europe and the Dominican Republic as part of its expansion ambitions.

The MoU with Geo establishes a portfolio-style development approach in which the two companies will work together to identify biogas sites and develop multiple commercial-scale SAF plants from Geo’s extensive network of existing and planned facilities across Brazil. Both companies are looking to become leaders in the country’s emerging SAF market and meet increasing demand driven by mandated blending requirements.

Research, production and the use of SAF is part of Brazil’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program (Probioqav). In 2027 and 2028, airlines must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 1% per year. From 2029, the reduction target increases by one percentage point annually until 2037, when it should reach at least 10%.

“This partnership with Geo, alongside our growing pipeline across the world, demonstrates that we are laying the groundwork towards becoming a major supplier in the SAF industry,” said Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics.

As part of its NovaSAF international expansion plans, Syzygy has also signed a MoU with Michigan-based NorthStar Renewable Fuels in a project aimed at enabling SAF production of up to 75,000 tonnes (25m gallons) per year and includes a non-exclusive licensing structure designed for rapid, scalable deployment throughout North America.

In cooperation with Spanish energy company Islonias, Syzygy is pursuing a 30,000-tonne-per-year SAF project in the Dominican Republic, with a collective ambition to achieve an aggregate 300,000 tonnes per year with expansion into Spain, Italy, France, Colombia and Chile.

Syzygy has also signed a MoU with an unnamed Mexican SAF producer to explore a landfill waste project in northeast Mexico that may lead to a portfolio of projects with aggregate capacity of up to 100,000 tons per year.

“By partnering with Geo, Islonias and Northstar, we are demonstrating to the aviation industry that wasted biogas is an abundant, under-utilised resource that can reshape global SAF production,” said Best.

In January, the company announced a binding six-year SAF offtake agreement between its subsidiary SP Developments Uruguay and global commodities company Trafigura, which covers the entire production volume of Syzygy’s first plant, NovaSAF-1, to be located in Durazno, Uruguay, with first deliveries targeted in 2028. Claimed to be the world’s first electrified biogas-to-SAF facility producing RFNBO-compliant SAF, it will leverage biogas from a powdered milk plant and Uruguayan renewable electricity.

Photo: Syzygy’s demonstration plant in Houston, Texas

Christopher Surgenor

Editor

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