Synkero: we need to fly sustainably

Synkero is a start-up focused on developing a commercial synthetic aviation fuel facility at the port of Amsterdam.

Misha Valk, CEO Synkero, explains: ‘Aviation faces a huge challenge to become more sustainable. This sector is responsible for 3% of CO₂ emissions on a global scale, and up to 6% of the CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands. Flying less often is definitely part of the solution. But at the same time, we need to make sure that when we continue to fly, we do so in a sustainable way. We will have to make fuel more sustainable. That’s why we’re working on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Hydrogen is incredibly important to this effort. You can make SAF in several ways: from plant-based raw materials like used frying fat or from CO₂ as a feedstock. But all these green production paths require green hydrogen.’ Watch the video.

‘A key challenge involves green hydrogen. We use a huge amount, and it’s produced using renewable electricity from offshore wind. The supply of green hydrogen scales up and down depending on whether the wind is blowing. At the same time, on the back end we have an SAF plant that actually needs to run full time. So in between, you need a bit of peripheral infrastructure – in the form of underground storage but also pipelines – to make that connection.’

Read more about hydrogen and industry.

* Who do I see in the video?
Petra is playing the role of a Dutch industrial entrepreneur whose company is facing a sustainability challenge. She visits industrial companies to draw inspiration for her own business. Petra is played by an actor. Misha Valk works at Synkero, where he is Head of Capacity Development Europe.