DUS Airport & Greenlyte Carbon Technologies Partner to Build World's First integrated DAC-to-SAF Facility

DAC-2-E-Methane: Realizing Carbon Capture Utilization for Energy Storage & Transportation

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‍Essen/Duisburg/Aachen, 25.06.2024. Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, the Institute of Energy and Environmental Process Engineering (LEE) of University of Duisburg-Essen, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center (ZBT) and the Chair of Technical Thermodynamics (LTT) of RWTH Aachen University have joined forces to research the coupling of a Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant with a catalytic methane synthesis. The project will showcase a carbon capture utilization case in the heart of the industrial Ruhr area and is co-funded by the European Union and the state of NRW as part of the EFRE "Energie.IN.NRW" innovation competition.

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Timeline: Q2 2024 - Q2 2027

DUS Airport and Greenlyte Carbon Technologies Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Build The World’s First Integrated DAC-to-SAF Facility

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Düsseldorf, 21 January 2025 – Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and Greenlyte Carbon Technologies have joined forces to transform the future of aviation sustainability. At the airport’s annual New Year’s reception on the 16th January 2025, Greenlyte unveiled plans to establish the SAF Reallabor, the world’s first fully integrated Direct Air Capture to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (DAC-to-SAF) facility in front of 800 people including Mona Neubaur (Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia), Oliver Krischer (Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia), Dr. Stephan Keller (Mayor of the State Capital Düsseldorf). This groundbreaking project will enable direct air capture of CO₂ and, through Greenlyte's technology, simultaneously produce green hydrogen and convert it into sustainable aviation fuel—all on-site at the airport.

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The SAF Reallabor is designed to produce up to 250-tons of SAF p.a.. Once operational, the plant will contribute to the production of low-emission fuels that could significantly reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The commissioning date is planned in the next few years.

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The initiative aligns with Düsseldorf Airport’s Masterplan 2045, which outlines a bold strategy for sustainability and modern operations. Presented by Managing Directors Lars Redeligx and Pradeep Alex Pinakatt, the €1 billion plan includes a range of measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. The airport’s vision represents a bold commitment to redefining the role of airports in driving sustainable aviation.

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Greenlyte Carbon Technologies is a global leader in carbon capture and utilization. The company has developed an innovative process that minimizes both energy consumption and capital costs, making CO₂ capture and conversion more economically viable. The SAF Reallabor facility will serve as a demonstration of how DAC technology can be seamlessly integrated with hydrogen and SAF production to drive economic and environmental benefits.

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Lars Redeligx, Managing Director of Düsseldorf Airport:

“We aim to achieve climate neutrality at the Düsseldorf Airport by no later than 2035 and actively contribute to driving the decarbonization of air travel. Sustainably produced kerosene is a key element in this endeavor. Large-scale SAF production and innovation in manufacturing are not mutually exclusive - on the contrary, one cannot succeed without the other if the goal is to achieve market-ready costs.

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The Düsseldorf Airport provides the ideal platform for Greenlyte Carbon Technologies to establish a real-world SAF laboratory that integrates research, development, and application in one location. On the eastern side of the airport, at the intersection with the EUREF campus, the infrastructure for a fully CO2-neutral airport and the propulsion energies of the future is taking shape. Together with our partners from academia and industry, we aim to help shape the industry's transformation and leverage the favorable conditions of North Rhine-Westphalia as an industrial hub to achieve this goal.”

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Florian Hildebrand, CEO of Greenlyte Carbon Technologies:

“Partnering with Düsseldorf Airport to develop the world’s first integrated DAC-to-SAF facility showcases how the aviation sector can leverage advanced carbon technologies to reduce emissions and foster a more sustainable future. Greenlyte’s Direct Air Capture technology removes CO₂ from the atmosphere while simultaneously producing green hydrogen, making affordable green molecules accessible—a critical step toward achieving global climate goals. Advancing such key technologies in Germany is essential for building future-proof industries and securing global leadership in climate innovation."

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About Düsseldorf Airport

Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) plays a vital role in connecting people and businesses across Europe and the world. Strategically located in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia with the largest catchment in continental Europe, DUS serves over 20 million passengers annually with a broad network of international and domestic flights. Committed to innovation and sustainability, Düsseldorf Airport continuously invests in cutting-edge infrastructure and green initiatives to minimize its environmental impact and support climate-neutral air travel. With its dynamic approach to operational excellence and customer experience, DUS is driving the future of sustainable aviation and strengthening its position as a gateway for global connectivity.

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About Greenlyte Carbon Technologies

In a world where rising greenhouse gas emissions threaten ecological stability, innovation and action are imperative. Founded in 2022, Greenlyte is dedicated to transforming the climate crisis through groundbreaking Direct-Air-Capture (DAC) technology. By simultaneously capturing CO₂ and producing green hydrogen, Greenlyte significantly lowers the costs of CO2 and hydrogen utilization. This breakthrough enables cost-effective green fuel production and large-scale negative emissions. As of today, Greenlyte has raised over $25 million, employs over 50 people, and has launched its first commercial projects. Looking ahead, the company plans to grow its capturing capacity to 0.1 GT of CO2 p.a. by 2050 at less than $100 per ton.

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