CRI Completes Feasibility Study Exploring the Methanol-to-Jet Pathway for Iceland’s Largest e-SAF Project
CRI has completed a feasibility study exploring the methanol-to-jet pathway for Iceland’s largest planned e-fuel facility. This work marks an important step in evaluating the use of CRI and Honeywell UOP’s technologies for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.
Following the completion of CRI’s feasibility study, the methanol-to-jet pathway remains under consideration for IdunnH2’s planned 300MW facility, which would become Iceland’s largest e-fuel project. The plant would combine recycled CO₂ and green hydrogen to produce up to 70,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually.
The facility will combine green hydrogen produced from Iceland’s abundant wind resources with recycled carbon dioxide to produce approximately 70,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) annually, from 2029 onward.
Once operational, the plant is expected to replace 15% of Iceland’s annual jet fuel imports, with a domestically produced, low-carbon, drop-in fuel, reducing CO2 emissions from aviation by approximately 200,000 tons per year.
The Methanol-to-Jet production pathway has greater carbon and hydrogen efficiency potential than alternate pathways evaluated.
With the viability of the methanol-to-jet pathway now confirmed, IdunnH2 will look to formalising the technology partnerships needed to start the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase of the project’s development.
Reykjavík, Iceland
April 29 2025
CRI has successfully completed a feasibility study of the methanol-to jet synthesis pathway in the 300MW e-SAF (electro-sustainable aviation fuel) facility under development by IdunnH2 in Iceland.
The study assessed the costs and technical feasibility of using the methanol-to-jet synthesis pathway in the production of approximately 70,000 tons of certified sustainable aviation fuel in Iceland, combining Carbon Recycling International’s established CO₂-to-methanol conversion technology with Honeywell UOP’s eFining™ process for the conversion of methanol to e-SAF. Annual fuel production will vary according to power delivery but is expected to be high due to excellent wind conditions in Iceland and the availability of baseload renewables like geothermal and hydropower.
The project is part of the rapidly growing European SAF landscape, where large-scale projects are emerging in response to the EU and ICAO policy measures designed to control the growing emissions from aviation. Once operational, the plant’s capacity will meet 15% of Iceland’s annual jet fuel demand, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 200,000 tons per year. The completion of the facility will ensure that airlines operating in and from Iceland can meet the increasing mandates for SAF blending in commercial aviation, in compliance with ReFuelEU Aviation and ICAO’s CORSIA emissions reduction framework. The fuel is in high demand, with planned production already largely pledged to users of Keflavík Airport seeking meaningful emissions reductions.
“With SAF mandates taking effect, it’s encouraging to see the methanol-to-jet pathway gaining real momentum. This project reflects the progress we need to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry by applying proven technology at scale. We are happy to contribute our expertise to this study and look forward to seeing the further advancement of the project.”
- Lotte Rosenberg, CEO of Carbon Recycling International
With the viability of methanol-to-jet now confirmed, IdunnH2 will prepare for the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, aiming for a final investment decision by late next year.
“We’re thrilled to have this study in hand, which is taking us one step closer to producing 70,000 tons of eSAF for the Icelandic aviation sector. Selecting efficient production processes is key to keeping the cost of our fuel low, and choosing technology partners with the proven experience of Carbon Recycling and Honeywell UOP is essential to seeing the project realized. The methanol-to-jet production pathway is effective, efficient, and ready for scale up, and we believe Iceland is the ideal place to show it.”
- Nanna Baldvinsdóttir, CEO of IdunnH2
About IdunnH2
IdunnH2 is a development company focusing on the realisation of large-scale hydrogen projects in Iceland. Founded in 2020, the company leverages its Icelandic power market insight and project development experience to bring commercially viable projects online.
Learn more at https://idunnh2.com/
Nanna Baldvinsdóttir
CEO, IdunnH2
info@idunnh2.com | +354 694 1604