The real catalyst behind sustainable aviation fuel
So, will there be clear skies ahead?
According to the legislators, yes. Blending mandates for sustainable aviation fuel are being discussed and implemented globally. The EU aims for 65% in 2050, and some countries have stated even more ambitious SAF targets. And there is a strong interest from corporates, airlines, and cargo carriers to explore and increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
As seen above, there are some regional differences concerning the SAF blending mandates, but the overall picture is clear. Change is on the horizon.
Feedstock availability can cause turbulence.
SAF can be produced from various renewable feedstocks, including vegetable oils, waste oils and fats, solid biogenic waste, industrial flue gases, and CO2 , renewable electricity and water for example. As the market for and production of SAF will increase, so will the need for suitable feedstocks. Other segments and industries like road transport, marine fuel and petro-chemicals are pursuing the same feedstocks for different purposes. That can become a seriously limiting factor in reaching the goals.
What does this have to do with legislation, you might think? The use of feedstock, in particular first-generation bio-feedstock, is highly regulated in some parts of the world like the EU with direct implications for the biofuel production required to supply mandated volumes.
Consider GHG savings and Carbon Intensity.
Immediate GHG savings are still the priority when producing sustainable aviation fuels. The European Union is looking at savings targets like 65% for biojet fuel and 70% for eJet fuel. And the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) requires GHG reductions of at least 10% compared to the conventional aviation fuel.
SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and even be carbon negative, depending on the production methods and use of feedstock and technology. But there are still emissions throughout the supply chain, and measuring the carbon intensity (CI) is necessary to fully evaluate the lifecycle GHG emissions from fuels.
Expert perspectives on Sustainable Aviation Fuel
We're here to get SAF off the ground.
Every CO2 saving counts in the energy transition, and with the right technology and expertise, you can meet legislation and decarbonize profitably.
We are happy to discuss how our range of proven technologies is ready to help you meet rising demand and produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel. From the market-leading HydroFlex™ technology to the single-point license G2L™ Biofuels and G2L™ eFuels, and our new MTJet™ Biofuels and MTJet™ eFuels, we have mapped out your optimal routes to achieving feedstock flexibility while ensuring compliance with legislation.
Knowledge Special: SAF TALKSTM
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) continues to be recognized as a crucial solution for driving down the CO2 emissions of the aviation industry. And yet, SAF currently accounts for less than 1% of the global jet fuel consumption.
To fuel knowledge sharing of what it'll take to scale-up SAF, we've composed a second season of SAF TalksTM filmed during our second SAF Summit in Copenhagen in November 2023.
In a total of 9 bite-sized videos, frontrunners from across the SAF value chain share their latest trends and insights. And trust us! The industry is far from being at a standstill with numerous development underway...
