Neste & Airbus Partner for 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Neste Oyj
Neste and Airbus have signed a deal to help the aviation industry use more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Both parties believe that SAF is a key solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air travel. This collaboration intends to hasten the transition of the aviation industry to SAF.
To reach the ambitious goal of "net zero carbon emissions by 2050" set by the aviation industry, several steps must be taken, such as using fuel-efficient aircraft technologies, improving operations and ground infrastructure, and using sustainable aviation fuel.
Neste and Airbus recognise that one of the most difficult aspects of advancing SAF adoption is ramping up SAF production.
This partnership is laying the groundwork for Airbus and Neste to look for business opportunities together and promote the making and use of aviation fuel that is good for the environment.
"Neste is leading the way in making the aviation industry move faster toward a more sustainable future. That journey requires cooperation across the industry’s value chain. This partnership with Airbus brings together a leader in the aerospace industry and a leader in the field of renewable fuels. The combined knowledge and expertise of the companies will help advance the use and availability of SAF as a means of transitioning aviation towards more sustainable energy sources and reducing the climate impact of aviation,” said Thorsten Lange, executive vice president, renewable aviation at Neste.
“At Airbus, we believe SAF is one of aerospace’s most promising decarbonisation solutions that can be used in both in-service aircraft fleets and those of tomorrow. We are proud to partner with Neste and drive forward the development and uptake of SAF, stimulating the creation of a commercially viable market for renewable aviation fuels,” added Julie Kitcher, EVP communications, sustainability, and corporate affairs at Airbus.
"All Airbus planes are already certified to fly with up to 50% SAF, and this partnership will help get certification for 100% SAF by the end of the decade."
Neste and Airbus' agreement builds on their previous collaboration in the ECLIF3 research project, the world's first in-flight emissions study employing 100% SAF on a wide-body commercial passenger aircraft, with Rolls-Royce and the German research centre DLR. After working on the ECLIF3 project, Airbus and Neste will focus on the technical parts of the challenge to get 100% SAF certification.
Source: Biofuels International
