On December 16, 2025, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Swiss cleantech company and SPIN member Synhelion have signed a long-term offtake agreement for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). From 2027 onwards, SWISS will purchase at least 200 tonnes of solar jet fuel per year from Synhelion. The agreement represents a pioneering step for the use of solar-based synthetic fuels in civil aviation and marks an important milestone on the path toward more sustainable air travel.
SWISS is the first airline to enter into a binding five-year SAF offtake agreement with Synhelion. Under the agreement, Synhelion will begin producing renewable synthetic crude oil, known as syncrude, at its first commercial production facility from 2027. This syncrude will be co-processed with fossil crude oil in an existing refinery and refined into certified Jet-A-1 fuel. As a result, fossil crude is directly replaced with renewable syncrude without any need for modifications to existing infrastructure. The finished fuel will be transported through established logistics chains and supplied to airports via the conventional fuel supply system. Synhelion’s synthetic jet fuel is produced using renewable energy and sustainable feedstocks.
A strong signal for sustainable aviation
“The partnership with Synhelion is a significant step for SWISS on the path to defossilizing our flight operations,” said Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS. “Sustainable aviation fuels are a core element of our sustainability strategy. This offtake agreement sends a strong signal for innovation and responsibility in aviation.”
By committing as a long-term customer, investor and strategic partner, SWISS is actively supporting the scaling of Synhelion’s fuel production technology. The long-term planning security created by the agreement enables targeted expansion of production capacity and contributes to cost reductions over time.
A pioneering partnership
Synhelion also highlighted the importance of the agreement. “The fact that SWISS, a leading airline, has committed early to adopting our fuels demonstrates strong confidence in the market readiness of our technology,” said Philipp Furler, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Synhelion. “This partnership is a milestone for the commercial market launch of our fuels and sets a powerful example for airlines worldwide.”
Expanding the partnership with Kuehne+Nagel
Part of the renewable jet fuel produced by Synhelion will be resold by SWISS to the global logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel. The fuel will be used for air freight services with Swiss WorldCargo, allowing logistics customers to actively reduce their carbon footprint in international air freight.
First delivery already completed
In July 2025, SWISS became the first airline worldwide to use solar fuel from Synhelion in regular flight operations. Synhelion delivered its first barrel of syncrude from the DAWN production plant to a refinery in northern Germany, where it was refined into certified Jet-A-1 fuel and subsequently supplied to aircraft via Hamburg Airport.
Source: Synhelion, SWISS signs long-term offtake agreement for solar jet fuel from Synhelion (December 16, 2025)