Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran, and Tereos have signed an agreement to establish a new joint venture, named Rebound, aimed at developing one of Europe’s largest Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facilities in Dunkirk, northern France.
The proposed plant will use the Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) production pathway to convert advanced ethanol derived from agricultural and forestry residues into SAF. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 160,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel annually, supporting Europe’s efforts to decarbonise air transport and strengthen energy security.
The four partners have committed to funding the project’s development phase, which will include engineering studies, permitting activities, technology selection, and other preparatory work required ahead of a Final Investment Decision (FID).
The initiative comes as demand for SAF is expected to rise significantly under the European Union’s RefuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates increasing SAF blending levels from 6% by 2030 to 70% by 2050. Industry forecasts suggest this will drive a substantial increase in SAF demand over the coming decades.
Under the partnership, Technip Energies will lead project development and engineering activities, leveraging its expertise in large-scale industrial projects and energy transition technologies. Airbus and Safran will participate as industrial partners, helping facilitate future fuel offtake arrangements and potentially serving as SAF customers. Tereos, one of Europe’s leading ethanol producers, is expected to supply the advanced ethanol feedstock required for production.
A key milestone has already been achieved with the Port of Dunkirk awarding Technip Energies a dedicated industrial site for the project. The location offers strong logistical advantages for feedstock sourcing and fuel distribution while supporting an efficient permitting process.
The partners will now advance through a phased development programme that includes Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, finalisation of feedstock and offtake agreements, and financing arrangements for construction.
If approved, the Rebound project is expected to play a significant role in expanding Europe’s SAF production capacity, supporting aviation decarbonisation goals, creating new industrial opportunities, and strengthening the continent’s sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem.
