Sustainable innovations in the aerospace and aviation industry

Back in July 2022, the Jet Zero Strategy was rolled out to bring together experts from the aviation and aerospace sectors, academies, innovators, international partners and the public.

The strategy was to form a Jet Zero Council that can work together to prevent the aviation sector from becoming one of the largest emitting sectors by 2050, and instead secure a more sustainable outlook. It was discussed that goals should be set for all domestic flights in the UK to become net-zero by 2040, and for all airport operations in England to produce zero emissions by the same year.

Ultimately, the intention are that the success of aviation must no-longer damage the planet. To do that, the aforementioned bodies are working towards creating new jobs and developing new industries with innovative new technologies that improve energy security across the nation.

Since its formation the unity has already made great progress, aiding the creation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK, which is produced by Phillips 66®. Commercial airline Jet2 have been utilising the fuel since 2023 and have managed to reduce their carbon emission by 80%. However, there are much more innovations needed to establish a more confident path towards net zero for the sector as a whole.

Commercial waste collection experts Skips and Bins, recently investigated other innovative efforts being and tested to help aid aviation commercial waste and sustainability goals.

 

Fuels

SAF

SAF has already brought improvements to the sector. It is made from a variety of feedstocks. These feedstocks can be created from domestic and commercial waste, or from recycled carbon fuels (RCFS) and animal waste. The British government has committed to incentives for producing SAF from wastes, residues or low carbon energy, which places the UK as the current global leader for the development, production and use of SAF.

By the end of 2023 the UK had invested in 26 million litres of SAF. This ultimately lead to the RAF flying the first wide bodied plane in the world running on 100% SAF transatlantic flight, which took off from London to New York at the end of 2023.

Lignin polymer

Scientists at Washington State University (WSU) have demonstrated a potential fuel that comes from the conversion of lignin polymers, which is the main component of plant cells. It was discovered that it can be used to as jet fuel and aid the performance of sustainably produced aviation fuels, if rolled our commercially.

Lead scientist and Professor of WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Bin Yang, commented saying: “Our achievement takes this technology one step closer to real-world use by providing data that lets us better gauge its feasibility for commercial aviation.”

Lignin polymer, which makes up the tough and sturdiness of plants, would make sustainable fuels cleaner and more easily usable in jet engines because it is dense, efficient and has seal-swelling qualities. The end goal is that hydrocarbon catalysed from lignin could effectively replace fossil fuel-derived compounds, which are called aromatics.

e-kerosene

Norwegian Armed Forces creates aviation first with biofuels

Norwegian Armed Forces creates aviation first with biofuels

The first use of biofuel for the defence sector's business trips with Norwegian was marked at Ålesund Airport Vigra on Wednesday. Norwegian will blend 15 percent biofuel on over 1 million flights until 2028. The agreement is the largest of its kind in Norwegian history, and most likely the first in a NATO context.

"This agreement is an important step in the defence sector's climate and environmental strategy. The sector aims to cut 20 per cent of CO2 emissions by 2030 and reduce emissions from purchased goods and services. To achieve these goals, reduced emissions from business travel and the Armed Forces' own flights are central. The work that has been done to pave the way here is important," says Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen.

Norwegian has now delivered 1 million litres of biofuel to the airport in Ålesund with the help of the Finnish energy group St1 and the fuel supplier AFSN. The biofuel will cover 15 % of the total consumption of the defence sector's more than 250,000 business trips in 2024 and will reduce CO2 emissions by over 2,000 tonnes this year.

Norway’s defence sector at the forefront

"The Norwegian defence sector is leading the way here. All parties involved can be proud of having created an agreement model that is at the forefront globally. We hope both the public and private sectors will follow suit in the future," said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, which administers the agreement, confirms that Norway is ahead of the pack in this field.

"We have worked with the industry, organisations and experts to shape this tender for business travel. We are very pleased with the result, which shows that we can be at the forefront. The tender has already received international attention,” says Per Arne Johnsen, acting director of procurement in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.

Short-distance biofuels increase the security of supply

Currently, no biofuel is produced for aviation in Norway. To ensure that the agreement contributes to local demand, the defence sector has set the requirement that refuelling must take place in Norway.

Cathay Cargo commemorates DB Schenker’s membership of its Corporate SAF Programme with a signing ceremony

DB Schenker is the newest and biggest contributor to Cathay’s carbon-reduction programme.

Cathay Cargo and DB Schenker jointly held a signing ceremony on 8 October at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters to mark the global forwarder’s membership of the Cathay Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme.

Attended by Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen and DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer, the ceremony marked DB Schenker’s stride forward in July to become the biggest contributor to the programme, underscoring both parties’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome DB Schenker here not only as the newest member of the Cathay Corporate SAF Programme, but also as its biggest contributor. It is great to have this level of support from such an important player in the air cargo industry as we work together to decarbonise aviation. This ceremony marks our appreciation for DB Schenker’s significant contribution to our collective efforts to fly Greener Together.”

The Cathay Corporate SAF Programme was established in 2022 to help tackle climate change. It enables members to purchase SAF for uplift on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo flights from Hong Kong and other ports on the network. By joining and committing to buy 878 tonnes of SAF (equivalent to 290,000 US gallons), DB Schenker will help reduce more than 2,600 tonnes in carbon emissions.

First sustainable aviation fuel arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

The Minnesota SAF Hub announced that the first 7,000-gallon shipment of blended SAF made from Minnesota/North Dakota-grown winter camelina arrived at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport fueling facility. Delta Air Lines has designated flight DL 2732 from Minneapolis to New York on Sept. 25, 2024, as the symbolic first flight to be fueled in part by SAF from MSP Airport.

This SAF is made from the winter camelina plant that produces an oil rich seed, which can be crushed, refined and used to produce SAF. It has one of the lower carbon intensity scores of the many feedstocks being used for SAF production today. Also, it is one of the many feedstocks found in Minnesota that can be used to produce SAF, including corn, soybeans, canola, continuous living cover crops, agricultural biomass, woody biomass, hydrogen, waste oils, fats and more.

On the heels of an earlier announcement of major milestones from the Minnesota SAF Hub, this latest development is a prime example of why the Minnesota SAF Hub’s focus on the entire SAF value chain is so important. For the winter camelina SAF-fueled flight to come to fruition, many stakeholders and partners were involved.

Cargill worked with Minnesota and North Dakota growers last fall to plant 2,000 acres of winter camelina, which was harvested this summer and used as a feedstock for the SAF.

The camelina was processed at Cargill’s West Fargo crush plant and then sent on to Montana Renewables, where it was refined and blended into SAF.

The camelina SAF was sold to Delta and transported by Shell Aviation directly to the MSP Airport fueling facility where it will enter the fuel supply.

AM Green acquires Chempolis Next-Gen 2G Bio-Fuel Technology

             AM Green Technology and Solutions B.V. (part of AM Green Group), one of the world's leading energy transition solutions providers has announced the signing of binding agreements to acquire Chempolis Oy and Fortum 3 B.V. entities.
This acquisition highlights AM Green's commitment to develop innovative technology-enabled solutions. AM Green will establish large-scale bio refineries that utilize multiple feedstocks & produce high-value green products enabling global decarbonization in aviation, fuels, chemicals and other industrial sectors.
Chempolis's technology will enable the processing of multiple 2G waste feedstocks and the production of high-value green chemicals and products such as ethanol, furfural, and pure lignin, accelerating AM Green's vision to become the world's leading industrial decarbonizations platform.
Chempolis Oy is a pioneer in lignocellulosic feedstock processing with research, technology capabilities and product development expertise spanning 15+ years with strong R&D teams.

Minnesota will soon be home to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility

Minnesota will soon be home to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility – only the third in the United States – that will provide SAF supply via existing pipeline to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) – Delta’s second-largest hub where it uses 250 million gallons of fuel annually.  

The first-of-its kind Minnesota SAF Hub – of which Delta is an anchor member along with the Greater MSP Partnership, Bank of America, Ecolab and Xcel Energy – launched in August 2023 with a commitment to implement an ambitious shared strategy for aggressively decarbonizing the airline industry by scaling SAF production and replacing conventional jet fuel. On Sept. 10, the coalition announced its achievements and four major milestones on its journey to develop a fully integrated SAF supply chain in Minnesota, thanks to collaboration across the coalition’s members representing the entire SAF value chain – from finance to farm to airport:  

The first SAF blending facility in Minnesota: Delta and Flint Hills Resources are in the early stages of developing a facility to blend up to 30 million gallons of neat SAF at its Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount, Minnesota. The facility is likely to be the first between the coasts that can blend neat SAF with conventional jet fuel. Shell will supply the neat SAF and bring its expertise in product quality, supply chains and logistics to the team. Flint Hills will blend the jet fuel it produces with the neat SAF and will deliver via Flint Hills’ existing pipeline to MSP. The facility is expected to be completed in late 2025.   

 

 

Making SAF cost-competitive: A “Demand Consortium” that includes Bank of America, Deloitte, Delta, and Ecolab has been formed to purchase the first several million gallons of SAF each year, starting in the second half of 2025. The goal: scale production, drive down costs and secure multi-year demand that spurs continued growth of the SAF market. Each of these companies are providing funding to support the market production of SAF, which will contribute to verified carbon emission reductions associated with their employee business travel.  

 

 

Establishing SAF production in Minnesota: On August 16, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a $16.8 million Inflation Reduction Act grant to convert an existing Gevo ethanol and isobutanol fuel facility in Luverne, Minnesota, into a fully integrated alcohol-to-jet fuel facility for SAF production. This will allow the first conversion of Minnesota crops to SAF within the state.   

 

 

Making SAF out of next-generation feedstocks: Coalition partners at the University of Minnesota are developing a novel crop called winter camelina seed, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including producing oil for conversion into SAF. Although this crop is early in its development, future opportunities are promising, and the MN SAF Hub is working to bring the first shipment of camelina-derived SAF to MSP this fall.  

Minnesota is uniquely positioned to help scale the SAF industry and is why it’s an ideal location for this SAF Hub. Not only is Minnesota home to a variety of feedstocks that can be used to make SAF, it also has a strong history of producing biofuels. It was also one of the first states to enact a tax credit and construction incentive to support the development of a SAF economy.  

New initiative to promote SAF use and decarbonize aviation begins in Japan

Sustainable aviation fuel - SAF is expected to contribute to the decarbonization of aviation by substantially reducing the volume of CO₂ emissions compared with conventional aviation fuel.

To encourage the use of SAF, a project aimed at building a new scheme for trading Scope 3 environmental value*2—the reduction effects of indirect CO₂ emissions resulting from SAF use—is being launched. As the first step, seven companies (listed below) have agreed to conduct a demonstration test of Scope 3 environmental value trading to verify the concept behind the new scheme.

Scope 3 Environmental Value Trading Demonstration Test to be Conducted at Narita Airport -

This represents the world’s first*3 initiative bringing together fuel suppliers, an airline, a forwarder, and an airport operator in an effort to jump-start trading in Scope 3 environmental value. Brisk trading in environmental value via this project’s scheme will make it possible to share the costs associated with SAF throughout the air transport value chain.

After a trial phase of trading, a full-scale demonstration project with a larger number of participating companies will be followed by efforts to achieve the social implementation of the established scheme. The use of this scheme by a large number of companies involved in air transport will generate substantial opportunities to drive the widespread uptake of SAF throughout Japan. 

Extending decarbonization efforts to encompass the entire air transport value chain will secure the sustainable growth of the aviation industry.

◼Information on and Comments from Each Company

ITOCHU Corporation

Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo   President & COO: ISHII Keita

ITOCHU’s management policy commits to the enhancement of corporate brand value, and positions “Enhancing our contribution to and engagement with the SDGs through business activities” as one pillar of this effort. Through this project and increasing the market prevalence of SAF in cooperation with leading partners, ITOCHU aims to make an even greater contribution to the achievement of a circular economy.

ENEOS Corporation

Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo   President: YAMAGUCHI Atsuji

ENEOS is moving forward with the construction of an integrated system covering everything from procurement of the raw materials for SAF to in-house manufacture and sales. Through its participation in this project, ENEOS will promote Scope 3 environmental value and SAF use, thereby contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions throughout the aviation industry value chain.

NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (NX)

Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo   President & CEO: HORIKIRI Satoshi

Expanding the use of SAF is crucial to the pursuit of decarbonization in the aviation field, and efforts throughout the supply chain are required. Participating in this project as a forwarder, the NX Group aims to contribute to the creation of a sustainable society.

Boeing invests in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of a SAF production facility in Brisbane

U.S. plane maker Boeing is investing in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of its sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production facility in Brisbane, increasing Australian SAF supply and reducing aviation’s carbon emissions.

Boeing’s investment in the Wagner refinery is part of its strategy to support the development of local SAF supply and expand global access to SAF, which remains the most effective lever to decarbonize aviation by 2050. SAF, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 84% compared to petroleum jet fuel, currently represents 0.1% of global jet fuel use.

“We’re proud to invest in this project because it will make a real difference in developing a SAF industry in Australia,” said Kimberly Camrass, Boeing’s sustainability lead for Australia and New Zealand. “Accelerating local SAF supply enables Australia’s own climate goals and supports the global commercial aviation industry’s commitment of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

RAF defends UK's skies using sustainable aviation fuel

The Royal Air Force is ensuring Britain is secure in a more sustainable manner by using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with normal jet fuel on routine operations for the first time.

Aircraft including Typhoon and Poseidon submarine hunters, operating from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, have been using a blend of conventional and SAF in a first for the air force as they take to the skies to defend the UK and allies.

Between November 2023 to February 2024, four million litres of blended sustainable aviation fuel were delivered to the Royal Air Force through a contract with World Fuel Services. A further five million one hundred and fifty thousand litres of fuel are being delivered over the period July to October 2024.

The fuel is used to power aircraft operating from Lossiemouth in Morayshire, northern Scotland. RAF Lossiemouth is one of the UK’s busiest RAF stations and is home to Typhoon aircraft that are ready to deploy 24/7, 365 as part of the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert – keeping Britain secure.

Sustainable fuel sources include hydrogenated fats and oils, wood waste, alcohols, sugars, household waste, biomass and algae. As aviation currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of fuel used across defence, this first for the RAF demonstrates the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions with no compromise to national security.

In 2020, the Ministry of Defence updated aviation fuel standards to allow up to 50% sustainable sources to be used in fuel mixes for defence aircraft. Using blended SAF can cut aircraft carbon emissions by up to 80% and it is a significant step towards bolstering both operational capability and climate change and sustainability efforts.

The RAF has been trialling different types of fuel since the update to fuel standards. In November 2021, an RAF pilot flew a microlight aircraft powered by synthetic fuel created from air and water in a world first. In Spring 2022, a drone was flown on synthetic kerosene made by genetically modified bacteria and the RAF has tested an electric aircraft flown at RAF Cranwell.

In November 2022, an RAF Voyager successfully trialled the use of 100% sustainable aviation fuel, flying for 90 minutes from RAF Brize Norton – a world first for a wide-bodied military aircraft, a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel supplied by Air bp.

In 2023, the Royal Air Force successfully used SAF to achieve the first SAF blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft. This was followed by the RAF’s display typhoon being powered on blended SAF at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the first time this aircraft has been displayed to the public on this fuel.

This work has helped to pave the way for the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the commercial sector, including a Government-funded transatlantic flight by Virgin Atlantic last year.

The use of sustainable aviation fuel represents a significant milestone in the RAF’s journey towards helping mitigate against climate change. By integrating sustainable practices into our operations, we are not only enhancing our ability to protect the nation and deliver excellence on operations, but also contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come."

Group Captain Sarah Brewin

Station Commander, RAF Lossiemouth

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A world first sustainable aviation fuel production facility at Oxford Airport opens........

OXCCU, a leading carbon-to-value company converting carbon dioxide into fuels, chemicals and plastics, proudly announces the launch of its first official demonstration plant, OX1, at Oxford Airport. OXCCU, a climate tech spin-out company from the University of Oxford, is developing novel catalysts and reactor designs to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as fuels, chemicals and plastics. The company is headquartered in the UK, with operations at Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, and London Oxford Airport.

The OX1 plant represents a significant advancement in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Through its novel catalyst and reactor design, the subject of over a decade of research at the University of Oxford, the plant will convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) directly to long-chain hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as SAF, named OX•EFUEL™.

This FOAK facility, based at London Oxford Airport and designed and operated by OXCCU, will produce 1 kg (~1.2 litres) of liquid fuel per day and will start operations in September 2024. The plant will be the world’s first demonstration of the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 to jet fuel range hydrocarbons in a single step with minimal oxygenated byproducts using OXCCU’s novel catalyst. The plant is part of OXCCU’s strategic scale up journey as the first OXCCU plant out of the lab. It will provide the data key to the design, build and operations of the 160 kg (200 litres) per day OX2 plant, previously announced, which will operate at Saltend Chemical Park Hull in 2026. Commercial plants supplying the UK and elsewhere with PtL SAF will then follow.

Unlike other firms working on Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels, OXCCU has reduced a traditionally multi-step process to a single step, avoiding the need to first convert CO2 to CO – a difficult to electrify and energy intensive first step. This innovative approach is key to reducing the cost of PtL SAF, which is currently the main barrier to PtL SAF adoption.

Key Highlights:

The OX1 plant at Oxford Airport is the first demonstration plant to convert CO2 and H2 into long-chain hydrocarbons through its one-step process, setting a new standard in SAF production.

OX•EFUEL™, produced through OXCCU’s patented single step process, offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to aviation fuel needs, with significantly lower capital and operational costs than other PtL SAF pathways.

This plant showcases British innovation at its best, developed through a decade of research at the University of Oxford and supported by significant industry and government investment.

Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “We’re beyond excited to launch the OX1 plant, located close to where OXCCU was born. The fuel we’ve already made in a single step from CO2 in the lab has created great excitement with its potential to massively reduce the cost of SAF, but the scale up is key, and this plant will generate the data and litres of fuel we need. Our mission is to enable future generations to fly without a climate impact, and to do that we need cost-effective PtL SAF. This launch marks a key step in achieving that goal.”

OXCCU celebrates opening of OX1 Plant...........A world first sustainable aviation fuel production facility at Oxford Airport

OXCCU, a leading carbon-to-value company converting carbon dioxide into fuels, chemicals and plastics, proudly announces the launch of its first official demonstration plant, OX1, at Oxford Airport. OXCCU, a climate tech spin-out company from the University of Oxford, is developing novel catalysts and reactor designs to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as fuels, chemicals and plastics. The company is headquartered in the UK, with operations at Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, and London Oxford Airport.

The OX1 plant represents a significant advancement in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Through its novel catalyst and reactor design, the subject of over a decade of research at the University of Oxford, the plant will convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) directly to long-chain hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as SAF, named OX•EFUEL™.

This FOAK facility, based at London Oxford Airport and designed and operated by OXCCU, will produce 1 kg (~1.2 litres) of liquid fuel per day and will start operations in September 2024. The plant will be the world’s first demonstration of the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 to jet fuel range hydrocarbons in a single step with minimal oxygenated byproducts using OXCCU’s novel catalyst. The plant is part of OXCCU’s strategic scale up journey as the first OXCCU plant out of the lab. It will provide the data key to the design, build and operations of the 160 kg (200 litres) per day OX2 plant, previously announced, which will operate at Saltend Chemical Park Hull in 2026. Commercial plants supplying the UK and elsewhere with PtL SAF will then follow.

Unlike other firms working on Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels, OXCCU has reduced a traditionally multi-step process to a single step, avoiding the need to first convert CO2 to CO – a difficult to electrify and energy intensive first step. This innovative approach is key to reducing the cost of PtL SAF, which is currently the main barrier to PtL SAF adoption.

Key Highlights:

The OX1 plant at Oxford Airport is the first demonstration plant to convert CO2 and H2 into long-chain hydrocarbons through its one-step process, setting a new standard in SAF production.

OX•EFUEL™, produced through OXCCU’s patented single step process, offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to aviation fuel needs, with significantly lower capital and operational costs than other PtL SAF pathways.

This plant showcases British innovation at its best, developed through a decade of research at the University of Oxford and supported by significant industry and government investment.

Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “We’re beyond excited to launch the OX1 plant, located close to where OXCCU was born. The fuel we’ve already made in a single step from CO2 in the lab has created great excitement with its potential to massively reduce the cost of SAF, but the scale up is key, and this plant will generate the data and litres of fuel we need. Our mission is to enable future generations to fly without a climate impact, and to do that we need cost-effective PtL SAF. This launch marks a key step in achieving that goal.”

.

Available to customers as OXEFUEL, OXCCU’s sustainable aviation fuel is created by combining captured carbon dioxide and renewably-sourced green hydrogen through a novel iron-based catalyst, resulting in a more cost-effective and decarbonized alternative to fossil-based Jet A fuel for commercial airlines. Modelling completed by independent researchers from Imperial College London, through Imperial Consultants, has shown OXCCU’s one-step process significantly reduces SAF cost due to higher selectivity yield in the jet fuel range and a 50% lower capital cost.  
OXCCU scores £2.8 Million UK Government grant to scale sustainable aviation fuel production in November 2023. They won a £2.8 million grant along with the University of Sheffield Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) and Coryton. The capital will be used to demonstrate the world’s first direct carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation process, turning CO2  directly into aviation fuel range hydrocarbons, also known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
UK Government release aviation SAF plan to support growth of British aviation sector.
 ‘World’s First’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project to be Built at Saltend......

OXCCU celebrates opening of OX1 Plant...........A world first sustainable aviation fuel production facility at Oxford Airport

OXCCU, a leading carbon-to-value company converting carbon dioxide into fuels, chemicals and plastics, proudly announces the launch of its first official demonstration plant, OX1, at Oxford Airport. OXCCU, a climate tech spin-out company from the University of Oxford, is developing novel catalysts and reactor designs to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as fuels, chemicals and plastics. The company is headquartered in the UK, with operations at Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, and London Oxford Airport.

The OX1 plant represents a significant advancement in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Through its novel catalyst and reactor design, the subject of over a decade of research at the University of Oxford, the plant will convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) directly to long-chain hydrocarbons with high conversion and selectivity for use as SAF, named OX•EFUEL™.

This FOAK facility, based at London Oxford Airport and designed and operated by OXCCU, will produce 1 kg (~1.2 litres) of liquid fuel per day and will start operations in September 2024. The plant will be the world’s first demonstration of the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 to jet fuel range hydrocarbons in a single step with minimal oxygenated byproducts using OXCCU’s novel catalyst. The plant is part of OXCCU’s strategic scale up journey as the first OXCCU plant out of the lab. It will provide the data key to the design, build and operations of the 160 kg (200 litres) per day OX2 plant, previously announced, which will operate at Saltend Chemical Park Hull in 2026. Commercial plants supplying the UK and elsewhere with PtL SAF will then follow.

Unlike other firms working on Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels, OXCCU has reduced a traditionally multi-step process to a single step, avoiding the need to first convert CO2 to CO – a difficult to electrify and energy intensive first step. This innovative approach is key to reducing the cost of PtL SAF, which is currently the main barrier to PtL SAF adoption.

Key Highlights:

The OX1 plant at Oxford Airport is the first demonstration plant to convert CO2 and H2 into long-chain hydrocarbons through its one-step process, setting a new standard in SAF production.

OX•EFUEL™, produced through OXCCU’s patented single step process, offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to aviation fuel needs, with significantly lower capital and operational costs than other PtL SAF pathways.

This plant showcases British innovation at its best, developed through a decade of research at the University of Oxford and supported by significant industry and government investment.

Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “We’re beyond excited to launch the OX1 plant, located close to where OXCCU was born. The fuel we’ve already made in a single step from CO2 in the lab has created great excitement with its potential to massively reduce the cost of SAF, but the scale up is key, and this plant will generate the data and litres of fuel we need. Our mission is to enable future generations to fly without a climate impact, and to do that we need cost-effective PtL SAF. This launch marks a key step in achieving that goal.”

.

Available to customers as OXEFUEL, OXCCU’s sustainable aviation fuel is created by combining captured carbon dioxide and renewably-sourced green hydrogen through a novel iron-based catalyst, resulting in a more cost-effective and decarbonized alternative to fossil-based Jet A fuel for commercial airlines. Modelling completed by independent researchers from Imperial College London, through Imperial Consultants, has shown OXCCU’s one-step process significantly reduces SAF cost due to higher selectivity yield in the jet fuel range and a 50% lower capital cost.  
OXCCU scores £2.8 Million UK Government grant to scale sustainable aviation fuel production in November 2023. They won a £2.8 million grant along with the University of Sheffield Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) and Coryton. The capital will be used to demonstrate the world’s first direct carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation process, turning CO2  directly into aviation fuel range hydrocarbons, also known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
UK Government release aviation SAF plan to support growth of British aviation sector.
 ‘World’s First’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project to be Built at Saltend......

Sustainable Skies: Ethiopian Airlines' sings MoU with Satarem for a new era of eco-friendly travel

Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Satarem America Inc. to partner on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Ethiopia. Satarem shall produce SAF in the country, and Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to acquire the SAF from Satarem. With this MoU, Ethiopian Airlines Group has solidified its commitment to sustainability. This strategic partnership marks a significant step Ethiopian Airlines is taking towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The MoU with Satarem America Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, will enable Ethiopian Airlines Group to incorporate SAF into its operations, thereby significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting global efforts to combat climate change. SAF is a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, produced from sustainable feedstocks that can lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Regarding the move, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group said, "We are excited to partner with Satarem America Inc in our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future. The adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel is not just a business decision; it reflects our commitment to combating climate change and investing in innovative solutions that support a sustainable industry.”

This partnership with Satarem America Inc. reaffirms Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a pioneer in adopting eco-friendly aviation solutions, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high standards of environmental performance and contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the aviation industry.

Qantas joins new alliance to accelerate global sustainable aviation fuel supply

Qantas has joined an alliance of airlines, an aircraft manufacturer, and energy and financing companies to help accelerate global production of aviation biofuel.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Financing Alliance (SAFFA) fund has been formed with anchor-investor Airbus as well as Air France-KLM, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., BNP Paribas, Associated Energy Group, and Burnham Sterling Asset Management (as fund manager).

The initial partners have committed around $US200 million, with Qantas initially committing US$50 million (AU$75 million1) from its Climate Fund, which was established in 2023 and includes the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) partnership with Airbus.

SAF is one of the most effective tools that airlines currently have to reduce their emissions, with low and zero emissions aviation technology decades away, but local and global demand far outstrips supply.

Through SAFFA, the partners will invest in SAF technology development and production projects with an initial focus on opportunities that repurpose existing infrastructure. Investments will be initially focused in the United States, but in time are expected to be diversified across various SAF production pathways and regions.

Japan Airlines and ENEOS conclude an agreement on the sale and purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Japan Airlines Co. and ENEOS Corporation have signed an agreement on the sale and purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to accelerate its early implementation in Japan. Under this agreement, ENEOS will become the first Japanese leading energy company to import SAF and supply it to JAL, which is actively procuring SAF both in Japan and overseas.

In the aviation industry, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has set a goal to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from international flights by 2050 and aims to reduce emissions in the international aviation sector by 15% compared to 2019 levels starting from 2024. To accelerate the decarbonization of the aviation industry, the promotion of domestically produced SAF is crucial. As a first step towards this goal, both companies have agreed to promote the establishment of a domestic SAF supply chain through this agreement.

Moving forward, JAL and ENEOS will continue to work together to promote the widespread use of SAF in Japan and contribute to the decarbonization of the aviation industry.

JetBlue first regular supply of blended sustainable aviation fuel for commercial aviation in New York

                       JetBlue and World Fuel Services announced a new commercial agreement to bring the first regular supply of Blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), provided by Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO), to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as early as the fourth quarter of 2024. Under the terms of the initial 12-month agreement, JetBlue is expected to take delivery of a minimum of 1,000,000 gallons of neat sustainable aviation fuel (approximately 3,300,000 gallons blended) - with an option to purchase up to an additional 4,000,000 gallons (approximately 13,300,000 gallons blended). The blended SAF will be made available via existing infrastructure, including the Colonial Pipeline.

“This newly available SAF in our hometown is a key signal of the growing engagement by major fuel producers and the potential of SAF to meaningfully address aviation’s carbon emissions,” said Sara Bogdan, managing director of sustainability and environmental social governance, JetBlue. “By leveraging Valero’s globally recognized expertise in energy markets and logistics, and by utilizing existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure, this new large-scale supply of SAF is set to be a pivotal moment as the industry grows the use of SAF. Truly maximizing the impact of this opportunity will require engagement across all sectors.”

United the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

This week, U.S. mega-carrier United became the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel1 (SAF) for use at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Governor JB Pritzker joined the airline's leadership at ORD to highlight the role that Illinois' SAF tax credits played in bringing sustainable aviation fuel to one of the largest airports in the U.S.

SAF producer Neste will provide up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™2 to United at ORD in 2024 with the first supply arriving in August.3 

United was the first airline to create a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets, and remains a U.S. industry leader in the purchase and use of SAF. The airline purchased more sustainable fuel than any U.S. airline in 2023 and the agreement with Neste makes O'Hare the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use – among the most locations of any U.S. airline.

"Since day one as Governor, I've committed to making Illinois a national leader in sustainability and clean energy, which is why I was proud to support a nation-leading SAF tax credit last year," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Illinois's position as a hub of innovation with some of the most connected airports in the country perfectly aligns with the work of companies like United to build a more sustainable future for travel and reach our shared goal of zero emissions."

SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce GHG emissions by up to 85% on a lifecycle basis – from production to end use - because it is made from renewable materials rather than drilled fossil oil. SAF is among aviation's best, most scalable options to push the industry towards net zero emissions in part because it can be used right now with existing infrastructure - no changes to fuel systems or aircraft engines required.

"This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together," said United President Brett Hart, who was at ORD today with the Governor. "While the market for SAF is still in its infancy, there is a huge opportunity today for airlines and policymakers to work together to support its continued growth – SAF at O'Hare was made possible thanks to Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Legislature passing tax incentives."

United has now purchased SAF for airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam.

"I'm pleased to see United Airlines making this significant move forward by using sustainable aviation fuel daily in flights from O'Hare," U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. "One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is increase the supply of SAF. At the federal level, I've been pushing for the increased use of SAF, and I'm going to keep pushing to increase the supply of American-grown, American-made SAF, a true win-win solution that supports domestic farmers and blenders while reducing our nation's carbon footprint."

United SAF Policy Leadership

Airbus to boost sustainable aviation fuel production through investment in LanzaJet

Airbus is investing in LanzaJet, a leading sustainable fuels technology company and producer, in line with its ambition to act as a catalyst for the global development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). 

This investment will support the development of the Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway, an important step required to produce SAF at scale by enabling LanzaJet to further expand its capability and capacity to scale its proprietary Ethanol to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) process technology.

“Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the most important levers available to decarbonise aviation, but their production is still limited. Our partnership with LanzaJet demonstrates Airbus' commitment to work with leading energy technology suppliers to explore innovative production pathways and scale SAF," said Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Airbus. "This important partnership with LanzaJet underlines the importance of new technologies and cross-sector collaboration to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.”

HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus for Sustainable Aviation Fuels

The agreement paves the way for e-Fuels, made from renewable electricity, water, and recycled carbon dioxide, to reduce net CO2 emissions in the aviation sector, HIF Global has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus to advance the global development of e-Fuels for aviation ("e-Sustainable Aviation Fuel" or "e-SAF") via the methanol to jet fuel ("MTJ") pathway. The MoU provides a framework for negotiation of definitive agreements in relation to four key workstreams: technical, project development, commercial and advocacy.

The collaboration was signed at the Farnborough Air Show in England, one of the most prestigious global aerospace, aviation and defense industry fairs. 

Airbus and partners invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel financing fund

Airbus, the Air France-KLM Group, Associated Energy Group, LLC, BNP Paribas, Burnham Sterling, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. and Qantas Airways Limited co-invested in a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) financing fund to accelerate the production of SAF.

The corporate partners worked with investment manager Burnham Sterling Asset Management to establish the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Financing Alliance (SAFFA) investment fund in which Airbus is the Anchor Investor. The commitment from the seven partners is amounting to an aggregate of approx. US$200 million.

Each partner brings experience and financial expertise to the fund with the ambition to accelerate the availability of SAF by investing mainly in technologically mature SAF-producing projects using for instance waste-based feedstocks. Investments will be diversified across various SAF's production pathways and also by region.