REPORT
Pathways to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(Europe Edition)
Pathways to Sustainable Aviation Fuel(Europe Edition)
Our report aims to explore various SAF pathways in Europe, and the strategies for addressing the current significant gaps in the industry.
The rise of SAF in Europe & The UK
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has evolved from a mere option to a regulatory necessity for airlines, with mandates set to come into effect in the near future.
The ReFuelEU initiative is on the brink of implementation in the European Union. As soon as 2025, airlines will be obligated to blend a minimum of 2% SAF into their fuel mix, with this mandate expected to increase significantly to 6% by 2030.
Simultaneously, the UK is in the midst of a consultation phase that could require airlines to incorporate 10% SAF into their fuel mix by 2030.
These regulations pose substantial challenges, necessitating meticulous planning from 2024 to 2030 to ensure a smooth and gradual transition from fossil fuel-based jet fuel. This is especially critical, considering SAF currently comprises less than 1% of the total aviation fuel mix.
In conjunction with the upcoming Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress in Amsterdam, scheduled from 21 to 23 May 2024, we have prepared this comprehensive report to explore various SAF pathways and strategies for addressing the current significant gaps in the industry.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Do you know the various methods of SAF production?
HEFA-SPK
Currently, the HEFA-SPK pathway is the predominant method for producing SAF due to the broad availability of feedstocks and the maturity of the technology.
Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ)
Feedstocks include Ethanol derived from sugars, starches, cellulosic biomass, or Butanol (ethyl alcohol) produced through fermentation or advanced chemical processes from biomass.
Synthesised Iso-Paraffins (SIP)
SIP fuels are created through a process that typically involves the fermentation of sugars to produce an intermediate chemical, which is then hydrogenated to form iso-paraffins.
Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ)
Although MtJ is still a relatively early-stage SAF pathway, advocates claim it is more efficient and less energy-intensive than other production methods.
Fischer-Tropsch (FT)
FT is a well-established method for producing synthetic fuels, having been created in 1925. However, it is considered relatively inefficient, with 42% or more energy losses.
Power-to-Liquid (PtL)
Commonly known as e-fuels or electrofuels, the core idea is to use renewable electricity to produce liquid fuels. PtL has a CO2 lifecycle reduction of 90% or more (compared to 50-80% for other forms of SAF).