Airport operator Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and direct-air-capture (DAC) company Greenlyte Carbon announced an agreement to jointly the world’s first fully-integrated direct air capture to sustainable aviation duel (DAC-to-SAF) facility in the German city of Düsseldorf.

“Partnering with Düsseldorf Airport to develop the world’s first integrated DAC-to-SAF facility showcases how the aviation sector can leverage advanced carbon technologies to reduce emissions and foster a more sustainable future. Greenlyte’s Direct Air Capture technology removes CO₂ from the atmosphere while simultaneously producing green hydrogen, making affordable green molecules accessible—a critical step toward achieving global climate goals. Advancing such key technologies in Germany is essential for building future-proof industries and securing global leadership in climate innovation,” said Florian Hildebrand, CEO of Greenlyte Carbon Technologies.

The project, titled SAF Reallabor, will be designed to produce up to 250-tons of SAF per annum.

The project will enable direct air capture of CO2 and, through Greenlyte’s technology, simultaneously produce green hydrogen and convert it into SAF – all on-site at the airport.

DUS said the decision to host the project at the airport aligns with its Masterplan 2045, which outlines a bold strategy for sustainability and modern operations. The €1bn ($1.05bn) plan includes a range of measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

“We aim to achieve climate neutrality at the Düsseldorf Airport by no later than 2035 and actively contribute to driving the decarbonization of air travel. Sustainably produced kerosene is a key element in this endeavor. Large-scale SAF production and innovation in manufacturing are not mutually exclusive – on the contrary, one cannot succeed without the other if the goal is to achieve market-ready costs,” said Lars Redeligx, managing director of Düsseldorf Airport.