Topsoe ties PtX outlook to defence demand

Denmark’s Defence could play a pivotal role in scaling the country’s power-to-X (PtX) sector by acting as a long-term buyer of synthetic fuels.

This is the view of Danish energy and technology company Topsoe, as industry and policymakers seek ways to unlock stalled investment.

The company argues that predictable, state-backed demand is critical if developers are to commit to large-scale PtX projects, which require significant upfront capital and carry substantial commercial risk.

- When PtX plants can supply eSAF to both civil aviation and the Defence, the business case improves, said Therese Bording Hermann, head of public affairs at Topsoe, speaking to Defence Nordic affiliate publication Energy Supply.

eSAF, a synthetic aviation fuel produced from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, is seen as a potential route to decarbonising both civilian and military aviation while strengthening fuel security.

Topsoe’s position comes as Denmark accelerates defence spending in response to a more volatile security environment. 

The company suggests that directing part of this expenditure towards domestically produced synthetic fuels could support industrial development while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Industry groups have echoed the call.

Green Power Denmark and the Confederation of Danish Industry this week proposed that the Defence begin procuring PtX fuels from 2030, including support for at least two full-scale Danish plants, one of which would produce eSAF for Air Force use.

Such procurement could also contribute to Denmark’s NATO spending commitments, with the organisations estimating that offtake from two plants could represent around five percent of the country’s defence spending benchmark by 2035.