SkyNRG CEO Maarten van Dijk to Step Down
SkyNRG is preparing for a leadership transition as co-founder and CEO Maarten van Dijk plans to step down from his role at the end of 2026. Van Dijk will remain CEO until December 31 and will support the company through the handover period during the first quarter of 2027.
The change comes as SkyNRG moves from developing and sourcing sustainable aviation fuel toward operating large-scale production facilities. The company has construction underway on its DSL-01 SAF facility in the Netherlands and continues to develop projects in Europe and the United States.
The leadership transition therefore comes at a significant stage in SkyNRG's development, with the company expanding its role across the SAF value chain.
Maarten van Dijk's Role in SkyNRG's Development
Van Dijk co-founded SkyNRG in 2009 and has led the company alongside fellow co-founder Theye Veen. Under his leadership, SkyNRG developed from an early SAF-focused company into an international business with commercial relationships, production projects and a wider project portfolio.
The company has worked to develop SAF supply chains while building relationships with airlines, investors, technology providers and other industry partners.
Van Dijk's departure follows more than 17 years at the company. He has said that the decision comes as SkyNRG enters a new phase focused increasingly on production and operations.
SkyNRG Enters a New Production Phase
The leadership change comes as SkyNRG moves closer to becoming a large-scale SAF producer. Construction is underway on DSL-01 at the Delfzijl chemical park in the Netherlands.
The facility is designed to produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF per year using the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids, or HEFA, pathway. It is also expected to produce sustainable by-products including biobased propane, butane and naphtha.
The project reached financial close in February 2026 and construction subsequently began. Start-up is expected in mid-2028.
DSL-01 Is a Major Milestone for SkyNRG
DSL-01 represents a major change in SkyNRG's business model. The company has historically focused on sourcing, distributing and developing SAF markets, while the new facility positions it to become an owner and operator of production capacity.
Technip Energies is the EPC contractor for the facility. The project uses the HEFA pathway and is designed to process sustainable waste feedstocks such as used cooking oil.
The facility also includes feedstock pre-treatment and an on-site hydrogen plant based on Technip Energies' steam methane reforming technology.
KLM Remains a Key Project Partner
KLM has played a long-term role in the development of the DSL-01 project and remains its primary SAF off-taker. The airline has committed to purchasing 75,000 tonnes of SAF annually from the facility, equivalent to around 2% of its total fuel consumption according to KLM.
Long-term offtake commitments can help support the financing and development of large-scale SAF facilities. They also provide producers with greater visibility over future demand.
The relationship between SkyNRG and KLM demonstrates how airlines can become directly involved in developing SAF supply rather than relying only on spot-market purchases.
SAF Production Capacity Continues to Expand
SkyNRG is developing projects beyond the Netherlands. Its international portfolio includes Project Wigeon in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, developed with Boeing, and Project SkyKraft in northern Sweden with Skellefteå Kraft.
Project SkyKraft is focused on e-SAF production using renewable electricity, green hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide. This gives SkyNRG exposure to different SAF production pathways and regional markets.
The expanding portfolio means the company will need to manage multiple project-development, commercial and operational priorities as it moves toward larger-scale production.
The Leadership Transition Comes at a Strategic Point
Van Dijk's planned departure occurs while SkyNRG is changing from a project developer and SAF market builder into a company with direct production assets.
The company said its activities are transitioning toward large-scale SAF production and operations while it continues to develop its international portfolio and pursue strategic opportunities.
The board has started searching for a successor and has appointed executive search firm Egon Zehnder to support the process. Van Dijk will remain involved during the transition period through Q1 2027.
What the Change Means for the SAF Supply Chain
The leadership announcement does not change the announced production schedule for DSL-01. The project remains under construction, with start-up expected in 2028.
For the broader SAF market, the more significant development is SkyNRG's transition toward operating production capacity. Increasing production can help address one of the industry's major challenges, which is the limited availability of SAF compared with conventional aviation fuel.
The company will also need to manage feedstock sourcing, technology performance, financing, offtake relationships and regulatory requirements as its production portfolio expands.
Opportunities for Biofuel and Chemical Traders
The growth of SAF production creates opportunities across several parts of the chemical and biofuel supply chain.
HEFA facilities depend on suitable renewable and waste-derived feedstocks. Used cooking oil and other sustainable lipid feedstocks can therefore become important commodities for producers and traders.
The production process also requires hydrogen, catalysts, process chemicals and other industrial inputs. As SAF capacity expands, demand can extend beyond the finished aviation fuel itself.
For chemical traders, monitoring new SAF facilities can provide useful signals about future demand for feedstocks and processing materials.
What Buyers Should Watch
Several developments will be important for companies following SkyNRG and the SAF market.
CEO transition: Maarten van Dijk is scheduled to remain CEO until December 31, 2026 and support the handover through Q1 2027.
Successor appointment: SkyNRG's board has begun searching for a new CEO.
DSL-01 construction: Construction is underway at the Delfzijl site, with start-up expected in mid-2028.
SAF capacity: The plant is designed to produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF annually.
Feedstock demand: HEFA production will increase demand for suitable sustainable waste feedstocks.
International expansion: Project Wigeon and Project SkyKraft remain part of SkyNRG's broader international project portfolio.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Maarten van Dijk's planned departure marks a leadership transition for SkyNRG as the company enters a new stage of its development. After more than 17 years at the company, he will support the handover through the first quarter of 2027 while the board searches for his successor.
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