Do you worry about the probable environmental impact of flying? Amid the many requirements of reducing carbon footprints linked with flying, there is an upward demand by companies dealing with sustainable aviation fuels.
With so much choice, knowing who is leading the field in such a critical endeavor can be somewhat overwhelming.
For that reason, the article briefly focuses on 8 leading companies dealing with sustainable aviation fuel that you simply have to know.
From pioneering start-ups to major companies, we look at the frontier of technologies in sustainable aviation to help you make an informed and green choice for your future air travel.
Let’s get started.
What’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)?
Before getting to the leading sustainable aviation companies, it’s better to understand them in detail.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are biofuels produced to reduce aviation carbon emissions. It does not compete in food crops or the causes of deforestation, produced from sustainable resources like waste oils, fats, greases, and agricultural residues.
SAF reduces carbon dioxide up to 80% in its lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel. It is mainly capable because the biomass used as feedstock absorbs CO2 during its growth, which is the synthesis of emissions from fuel use in aircraft.
Watch this video by Financial Times to learn more about sustainable aviation fuels:
The International Civil Aviation Organization has, on its part, identified SAF as the fuel that offers airlines the greatest opportunity in proportion to their capacities to assist with aviation in reducing CO2.
This will be supported by various policies and goals, including the long-term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions that will be achieved by 2050, as set by the ICAO, per the temperature goal of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
The production, consumption, and use of SAF are based on globally recognized sustainability criteria and life cycle methodologies, optimizing environmental life benefits.
Now, let’s discuss how refueling EU aviation and IRA influence SAF.
How Refuel EU Aviation and IRA Influence SAF?
Key legislation concerning SAF in the European Union and the United States include the Refuel EU Aviation initiative and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Refuel EU Aviation aims to make air travel greener by increasing the use of SAF. It sets SAF use at 2% by 2025 and 6% by 2030, with the biggest goal of 70% use by 2050. It also encourages airlines to refuel mostly in the EU’s airports to be efficient in cutting down on unnecessary weight and emissions.
In the U.S., financial aid is through tax credits, whereby SAF is allowed to reduce the price of its fuel by a certain credit for every gallon used in flying, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% from ordinary jet fuel.
The credit starts at $1.25 per gallon and goes up as emissions decrease, maxing out at $1.75 per gallon. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has proposed extending the tax credit for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from 2023 to 2027. The objective of this proposal is to aid the production of 3 billion gallons of SAF by the year 2030. The European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) are also committed to promoting eco-friendly air travel and have established clear targets and financial incentives to encourage the growth of SAF.
It is very important to do so because it will greatly reduce pollution from air travel and fight climate change on our planet. If everyone chips in together, big strides can be made in producing and using SAF, helping to reach the global sustainability goal and targets set in the Paris Agreement.
Let’s discuss the top 8 leading sustainable aviation fuel companies in detail.
8 Leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel Companies
Here are the top 8 leading sustainable aviation fuel companies that you must know:
Neste
Neste employs a process called hydrotreating to produce sustainable aviation fuel. In this process, renewable waste and residue raw materials are first refined to remove impurities and contaminants.
The refined feedstock then undergoes hydroprocessing, where it is treated with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure conditions. This process breaks down the feedstock into smaller hydrocarbon molecules, further refined to meet aviation fuel specifications.
The resulting sustainable aviation fuel is compatible with existing aircraft and infrastructure, offering a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel.
Neste produces a range of renewable fuels, including renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel, and renewable chemicals. Their sustainable aviation fuel, branded as Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is derived from renewable waste and residue raw materials.
These raw materials can include used cooking oil, animal fats, and waste oils from food processing industries.
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World Energy, LLC
World Energy uses hydroprocessing technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks. To prepare renewable feedstocks like waste oils and fats for use, the first step involves treating them to eliminate any impurities and contaminants present in them.
The cleaned feedstock is then subjected to hydroprocessing, where it undergoes catalytic reactions in the presence of hydrogen to convert it into hydrocarbon molecules resembling conventional jet fuel.
The resulting sustainable aviation fuel meets strict quality and performance requirements, offering a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional jet fuel.
World Energy offers a variety of sustainable aviation fuels derived from renewable feedstocks such as waste oils and fats.
Their product range includes bio-based jet fuels designed to meet international aviation standards and are suitable for commercial and military aviation use.
industries.
products more accessible to households. With Zolar Easypay, users can choose between a one-time upfront payment or a flexible monthly fee.
This financing solution is part of Zolar’s mission to enable customers to save money by adopting solar energy and making renewable energy easy and accessible for everyone.
TotalEnergies
Total Energies employs various refining technologies, including hydrotreatment and hydrocracking, to produce sustainable aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks.
In the hydrotreatment process, the renewable feedstocks are treated with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure conditions to remove impurities and sulfur compounds. The resulting product is refined through hydrocracking, where larger hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller ones to meet aviation fuel specifications.
Total Energies ensures the quality and performance of their sustainable aviation fuel through rigorous testing and certification processes, offering a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional jet fuel.
Total Energies offers sustainable aviation fuel under the brand name TotalEnergies Avia.
Their fuel is produced from renewable feedstocks such as bio-based oils and fats, which comply with international aviation standards.
LanzaJet
LanzaJet specializes in producing sustainable aviation fuel from carbon waste gases emitted by industrial sources such as steel mills and chemical plants.
Their sustainable aviation fuel, LanzaJet Sustainable Aviation Fuel, offers a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel.
LanzaJet utilizes a proprietary gas fermentation process to produce ethanol from carbon-rich waste gases. In this process, waste gases containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen are captured and fed into bioreactors containing specialized microorganisms.
These microorganisms metabolize the gases and produce ethanol as a byproduct. The ethanol is then upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel using conventional refining techniques such as dehydration and hydrogenation.
LanzaJet has developed a process that enables the conversion of carbon waste gases into renewable and eco-friendly aviation fuel. This process significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Gevo
Gevo’s SAF is a renewable drop-in jet fuel produced from a broad range of non-petroleum biomass sources using the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) conversion processes.
The ASTM has qualified this alternative jet fuel production pathway to produce fuels that are comparable with conventional jet fuel in terms of materials, safety, and composition
By transforming renewable energy and carbon into energy-dense liquid hydrocarbons, Gevo aims to create fuels that, when burned, have the potential to yield net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the full life cycle of the products.
This innovative approach contributes to reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint while adhering to strict ASTM standards for aviation fuel.
Alder Renewables
Alder Renewables utilizes the Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) process to produce sustainable aviation fuel from sustainable ethanol. In this process, ethanol derived from renewable feedstocks such as agricultural residues or cellulosic biomass undergoes dehydration and chemical conversion steps to produce hydrocarbons suitable for use as aviation fuel.
The resulting SAF exhibits properties similar to conventional jet fuel, including high energy density and excellent performance characteristics.
Alder Renewables’ production process offers a scalable and sustainable solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector, contributing to the industry’s transition towards a more environmentally friendly future.
Fulcrum BioEnergy specializes in producing sustainable aviation fuel from municipal solid waste.
Their sustainable aviation fuel, Fulcrum BioJet, offers a renewable alternative to traditional jet fuel.
SkyNRG
SkyNRG is a leading sustainable aviation fuel solutions provider, offering a range of SAF products derived from various renewable feedstocks.
Their SAF is produced to the highest sustainability standards, ensuring minimal environmental impact and maximum performance. SkyNRG provides SAF solutions worldwide for airlines, airports, and other aviation stakeholders.
SkyNRG sources sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, waste oils, and agricultural residues to produce sustainable aviation fuel through advanced refining processes.
These feedstocks undergo various conversion steps, including hydroprocessing and esterification, to produce high-quality hydrocarbons suitable for use as aviation fuel.
SkyNRG’s production facilities are certified according to stringent sustainability criteria, ensuring their SAF meets the highest environmental and social standards.
By offering a reliable and sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel, SkyNRG is driving the adoption of SAF and helping to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.
FlyORO
FlyORO is an aviation supply chain integrator for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Founded in 2021, the company offers solutions for blending sustainable aviation fuels, allowing for on-demand blending and flexibility in production. The company is headquartered in Singapore and aims to revolutionize the availability and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel in the industry.
By curbing carbon dioxide emissions from flights, FlyORO contributes to the aviation sector’s transition towards greener practices.
Their asset-light modular manufacturing technologies tap into the jet fuel logistics network, making sustainable aviation fuel easily available to airlines directly at airports.
Conclusions
So these are the top sustainable aviation fuels companies leading the industry. With the support of initiatives like Refuel EU Aviation and the Inflation Reduction Act, the demand for sustainable aviation fuel is poised to grow rapidly, driving further innovation and investment in this critical sector.
These companies’ role will be critical in shaping a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for the aviation industry, which is continuously evolving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a type of biofuel used to power aircraft that is produced from sustainable feedstocks and has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional jet fuel.
What are the primary benefits of using SAF?
SAF reduces greenhouse gas emissions, decreases reliance on fossil fuels, and can improve the overall sustainability of the aviation industry.
How do these top SAF companies contribute to the aviation industry?
These companies produce and supply SAF, develop new technologies and processes for more efficient production, and collaborate with airlines and governments to promote SAF adoption.
What feedstocks are commonly used to produce SAF?
Common feedstocks include used cooking oil, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and algae, among others.
Are there any regulatory challenges associated with SAF?
Yes, SAF must meet stringent regulatory requirements and certification standards to ensure safety and compatibility with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure.
How can airlines and passengers support the use of SAF?
Airlines can invest in and purchase SAF for their flights, while passengers can choose airlines that use SAF and support policies that promote sustainable aviation initiatives.
References
Airbus: Sustainable Aviation Fuels, New Generation of Reduced Emissions Fuels
Europarl: ReFuelEU Aviation initiative: Sustainable aviation fuels and the ‘fit for 55’ package
AFDC: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Tax Credit
Asian Sky Group: World Bank Report Underlines Role of SAF in Sustainable Aviation
Global Data: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Market Production Capacity Analysis