NUREMBERG, Germany, Mar 3, 2026 – Siemens and CAPHENIA have partnered to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. SAF is synthetic kerosene made from renewable feedstocks that can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil kerosene. Siemens will provide automation and digitalization systems for CAPHENIA’s plasma technology to convert bio-methane into synthesis gas. Both the companies aim to standardize plant design to support global deployment of commercial SAF facilities.
At about 1500°C, CAPHENIA’s plasma process splits bio-methane into synthesis gas. The company’s Plasma Boudouard Reactor (PBR) integrates three chemical reactions in one unit. Operators can process the output into SAF, renewable diesel or chemical products, without by-products and with minimal energy losses.
The PBR reuses heat from cooling the gas stream to preheat incoming bio-methane. CAPHENIA states the process achieves more than 86% efficiency compared with conventional methods.
“Decarbonizing aviation cannot be achieved without synthetic fuels. Demand for SAF is growing exponentially, yet production capacity urgently needs to be ramped up,” said Christian Gückel, head of vertical chemicals at Siemens Digital Industries. “This is exactly where Siemens comes in: with our digitalization and automation solutions, we are making CAPHENIA’s technology industrially scalable and thus accelerating its global market ramp-up.”
“This partnership shows how technology leaders are working together to drive forward the energy transition. Siemens brings the portfolio and expertise to standardize and digitalize our plants. But the real point is this: the market for sustainable aviation fuels will not grow evenly – it will fragment. Those who scale quickly, those who are industrial-ready, those who have the right partners will lead. Together, we are not only laying the foundation for the international ramp-up of our PBR technology – we want to lead it,” said Dr. Mark Misselhorn, founder and CEO of CAPHENIA.
Digitalization as Key to Scaling
Siemens has become CAPHENIA’s preferred technology partner, supplying automation and digital systems from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio. The scope includes process control, drive systems, measurement technology and simulation software. Digital twin models allow operators to adjust operating parameters before commissioning and manage processes across sites.
Siemens is supporting CAPHENIA from its pilot plant at industrial park Höchst in Frankfurt, Germany, through commercial scale-up. The partners plan to develop a modular automation template for the PBR for deployment at multiple locations, with the goal of reducing commissioning time.
Demand for Synthetic Jet Fuels
The EU Renewable Energy Directive sets blending quotas and adds penalties for non-compliance, putting pressure on SAF supply chains. By 2050, aviation could require around 500 million tons of SAF annually, yet current supply is still less than 1% of global kerosene demand. Siemens and CAPHENIA are focusing on standardized, scalable production systems aimed at industrial deployment, as the SAF supply gap keeps widening.
Source: Siemens
About Siemens Digital Industries
Siemens Digital Industries (DI), a division of Siemens AG, focuses on industrial automation and digitalization. Based in Nuremberg, Germany, the division provides software, automation systems, and digital services that support the full product and production lifecycle—from design and engineering to manufacturing and maintenance. With a history extending over six decades, Siemens DI serves key sectors including automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, energy, and electronics. Its technologies, such as the Xcelerator platform and SIMATIC automation systems, are designed to integrate physical and digital processes, enabling data-driven manufacturing and operational efficiency. The division reports annual revenues exceeding €18 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people globally. Its portfolio supports manufacturers in implementing Industry 4.0 strategies by linking simulation, automation, and real-time data in scalable systems.
About Siemens AG
Siemens AG, headquartered in Munich and Berlin, Germany, is a global technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility and healthcare. Founded in 1847, the company develops industrial automation systems, digitalization technologies, energy-efficient equipment and medical diagnostic systems. Siemens applies industrial and generative AI to improve efficiency and operational performance across manufacturing, infrastructure and transportation. Its work combines physical systems with digital tools to support industrial processes, smart infrastructure and connected mobility. Siemens holds a majority stake in Siemens Healthineers, a medical technology company specializing in diagnostics and healthcare systems. The company employs more than 300,000 people worldwide and has operations in Germany.
About CAPHENIA
CAPHENIA is a German clean technology company that develops systems to convert carbon dioxide, biogas, water and electricity into synthesis gas for synthetic fuels and chemicals. It serves industrial and energy customers in aviation, shipping and mobility. The company was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Bavaria, Germany, with operations in Frankfurt. CAPHENIA’s core offering is a reactor system that produces synthesis gas as a feedstock for renewable fuels and chemical products. The company focuses on improving fuel production efficiency using recycled CO2 and biogenic inputs.