Three landmark SAF deals in two weeks

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is set to play a big part in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. Through reducing emissions by up to?80 per-cent,?the greener alternative to conventional jet fuel features in many airlines’ sustainability blueprint.

In the last few weeks, there have been several noteworthy headlines from around the world regarding SAF. Here are three of them.

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The largest: Air France-KLM

On 25 October, Neste signed one of the largest SAF agreements in the aviation industry with?Air France-KLM Group. Neste is a Finland-based, oil refining and marketing company producing Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. It is currently the world’s leading producer of SAFs. The deal was for the supply of over 1,000,000 tons of their SAF over eight years commencing in 2023. Neste and the Air France-KLM Group were already cooperating but this extensive deal marks a new strategic partnership for curbing the Group’s carbon emissions.

Thorsten Lange, EVP Renewable Aviation at Neste said:

“As the world’s leading producer of SAF, we are helping the aviation industry to work towards a more sustainable future, already today. This long-term collaboration with Air France-KLM shows how we are working together in a number of areas. By the end of next year, Neste will have an annual SAF production capacity of 1.5 million tons, ready to support the Air France-KLM Group and other airlines in Europe and across the globe”

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The first in a region: Qatar Airways

Also on 25 October,?Qatar Airways?became the first airline in the Middle East and Africa region to announce its commitment for an international SAF offtake agreement. The deal is with SAF producer Gevo for 25 million US gallons of neat SAF across a period of five years. This partnership symbolises a commitment to Qatar Airways’, along with other oneworld Alliance members, plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, CEO Qatar Airways Group highlighted the achievement for the region:

“Qatar Airways continues to prioritse our commitment to net-zero flying by the middle of this century. Decarbonising aviation requires a gradual incorporation of lower carbon and SAF, and we are proud to collaborate on this global effort for a better future.”

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The start of a project:??Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

On 1 November, ITOCHU Corporation was selected for a SAF demonstration project by the?Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The project will see ITOCHU import Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at the start of 2023 to blend it with conventional jet fuels for use in Chubu Centrair International Airport. The project aims to refine the process of blending imported neat SAF locally in preparation for scaling up the use of SAF in the aviation industry.

For more article on SAF read?Korean Air to Use Shell’s SAF From 2026?and?TUI and Cepsa Announce SAF Partnership

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