Sasol and Topsoe have appointed Shell’s Jan Toschka as CEO of their recently established sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) joint venture (JV).

Toschka is described as a seasoned leader in the aviation fuels industry, having been president of global aviation at Shell, where he was responsible for the energy major’s global network of operations and JVs, as well as sales of fuels, lubricants and sustainable solutions to the aviation industry.

In a statement, the companies noted that he had led teams across sales, mergers and acquisitions, trading, and retail businesses globally, spanning various industries including marine and retail.

On assuming his new role on March 1, Toschka will preside over the official launch of the JV during the same month.

The new entity will be headquartered in The Netherlands and will develop, build, own and operate SAF ventures and market the products.

“The joint venture is formed by two industry leaders, and their ambition to take on one of society’s biggest challenges; to help reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.

“This industry is close to my heart, and I am very excited to lead the new company,” Toschka said of his appointment.

When Sasol and Topsoe announced the JV at the Paris Air Show in June, they highlighted that the aviation industry alone accounted for 2% of global carbon emissions and stated that the JV aimed to combine their innovative technologies, capabilities, and industry experience to support the industry in meeting its decarbonisation goals.

Topsoe, which is headquartered in Denmark, has various energy transition-supporting technologies, including its Hydroflex solution to process vegetable oils, waste oils, or fats into HEFA-based SAF.

JSE-listed Sasol, meanwhile, already produces a certified jet fuel at Secunda, in Mpumalanga, using grey hydrogen, but is pursuing plans to produce SAF at the complex by integrating green hydrogen with its Fischer-Tropsch process.