Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Establishing the EU SAF Clearing House
Challenge
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are a non-conventional drop-in alternative to conventional petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. They replace conventional fossil-based aviation fuel on a 1:1 basis but have a smaller carbon footprint.
Used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel (a like-for-like replacement material) they are viewed as the most viable route in the short-to-medium-term to reduce aviation’s CO2 emissions and meet regulatory targets.
The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, adopted in 2023, mandates a target of a 2% SAF production in European aviation by 2025, rising to 6% by 2030, and a further increase of up to 70% by 2050. However, SAF currently represent less than 0.05% of total EU aviation fuel use. Furthermore, the supply chain has found scaling volumes to the required commercial levels to be a significant challenge, with new products required to meet strict specifications and follow rigorous testing before they can be used in commercial aircraft.
Approach
Working alongside fellow consortium members - Trinity College Dublin, Intertek, Politecnico di Torino, ENVISA, and Spark Legal and Policy Consulting – Ricardo experts established a network of European and international testing facilities to provide guidance to fuel producers in assessing the environmental impacts of their products and in meeting strict eligibility criteria.
Like its counterparts in the US and UK, the EU SAF Clearing House will support the approval of new SAF pathways using the ASTM D4054 process: the recognised industry Standard Practice for evaluating new aviation fuels and additives by acting as a virtual forum for advice on data quality, testing facilities and qualification. This will reduce the high cost and complexity of certification and is seen as key to unlocking higher volumes and encouraging a variety of feedstocks.
The EU SAF Clearing House will also provide sustainability services for prospective fuel producers and focus on nurturing a mature SAF supply chain in Europe, participating at technical events, advising on research and innovation, and promoting policy coherence.
Results
The Clearing House represents an important milestone in the journey to a cleaner, more sustainable aviation sector in Europe. The certification of new fuels, for example, will unlock new opportunities for SAF production and the diversification of feedstocks.
In July 2024, CATAGEN LIMITED - a Net Zero Technologies company - become the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplier to submit a sample to the EU SAF Clearing House for testing. The fuel is being developed from wind, water and air (e-SAF) and wind and sustainable organic waste (bio-SAF).