Neste is strengthening its position as world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel or SAF with the announced completion of its €1.6 billion refinery expansion in Singapore.

The completion of the refinery construction,  which was carried out during a pandemic, is expected to double Neste’s production capacity in Singapore. It brings the refinery’s yearly capacity to 2.6 million tonnes, of which up to 1 million tonnes can be SAF.

Neste has established a supply chain to Singapore Changi Airport to make neat SAF available to regional and international airlines. The neat SAF will be produced at a refinery located in the Tuas area, then blended and certified to meet specifications at the blending terminal in Singapore, before going to Changi.

As part of the deal, Neste has acquired a stake to become a minority shareholder in Changi Airport Fuel Hydrant Installation Company Pte Ltd (CAFHI), the fuel storage and infrastructure joint venture in the airport.

Neste is developing a global network of airports where it has the capability to supply SAF directly into aircraft. Aside from Changi, this includes San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX), Amsterdam (AMS), and Helsinki Airport (HEL).

“Singapore has world-class logistics connectivity enabling efficient transportation of the renewable raw materials as well as final products globally,” said Matti Lehmus, President and CEO of Neste.

“Its world-class education supports the availability of future talents to be a part of our production and commercial operations, as well as to enhance our R&D in our recently established Innovation Center.”