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7 clusters · 32 sources · 40 days · First seen · Last updated

European sustainable aviation fuel development

Overview

The European Union continues to expand its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity, driven by regulatory mandates and technological innovation. In 2025, SAF supply in the EU reached 1.1 million tonnes, accounting for 2.8% of the 39.3 million tonnes of total aviation fuel supplied across EU airports. This volume surpassed the 2% mandatory quota established by the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reported that SAF availability expanded from 33 airports in 2024 to 121 airports in 2025, helping to avoid an estimated 3.33 to 3.77 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Recent developments highlight a shift toward advanced production technologies and infrastructure. Shell, Fraunhofer IKTS, and AVL have launched a four-year partnership to develop a next-generation power-to-liquids (PTL) process for synthetic e-SAF. Additionally, SkyNRG is developing Europe’s first dedicated greenfield SAF production plant in the Netherlands, expected to be operational by 2028. At the operational level, Brussels Airport is testing a mobile blending plant to allow airlines to exceed minimum SAF requirements through customized fuel blends.

While used cooking oil remains the primary feedstock (80%), the industry is exploring new sources, such as sunflower cultivation in Romania. However, economic challenges persist; SAF costs remain two to three times higher than conventional kerosene. To address this, a joint study by IATA, Airbus, and Accenture suggests that corporate demand could support between 1.0 million and 1.9 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2030, up from approximately 323,000 tonnes in 2024. The study proposes a ‘book-and-claim’ model using SAF Environmental Attribute Certificates (EAc), which allows companies to fund verified emissions reductions without requiring physical fuel delivery to specific flight paths. Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group has rebranded its ‘Green Fares’ to ‘Impact Fare’ to comply with stricter EU anti-greenwashing regulations regarding environmental claims.

Entities

European Union Aviation Safety Agency · ReFuelEU Aviation · EASA · SkyNRG · Accenture

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Corporate SAF certificate purchases could scale sustainable fuel market

    A study by IATA, Airbus, and Accenture indicates corporate SAF certificate purchases could drive significant fuel market growth by 2030, while Lufthansa rebrands fare offerings to meet EU greenwashing rules.

  2. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Corporate travel demand could drive sustainable aviation fuel growth

    A study by IATA, Airbus, and Accenture indicates corporate demand could drive SAF usage to 1.9 million tonnes by 2030, despite high costs and limited production.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Sustainable Aviation Fuel becomes strategic amid rising fossil fuel costs

    Aviation fuel volatility and geopolitical risks are driving the industry toward Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with new production projects expanding in Europe and the US despite current low supply levels.

  4. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    European Union exceeds 2025 sustainable aviation fuel targets

    The EU has surpassed its 2025 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) target, reaching 2.8% of fuel supplied at airports, driven largely by used cooking oil imports from China, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

  5. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Brussels Airport tests mobile Sustainable Aviation Fuel blending plant

    Brussels Airport is piloting Europe’s first mobile blending plant to provide customized Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends to airlines, enhancing flexibility beyond current EU mandates.

  6. [TECHNOLOGY] 10 sources
    EU sustainable aviation fuel supply exceeds mandatory targets in 2025

    EU sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply rose to 1.1 million tonnes in 2025, exceeding the 2% ReFuelEU mandate and reaching 121 airports, significantly reducing aviation greenhouse gas emissions.

  7. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    European sustainable aviation fuel production advances through new technology and facilities

    Shell, SkyNRG, and partners are advancing European sustainable aviation fuel production through new e-SAF technology development and the construction of a dedicated greenfield facility in the Netherlands.

Sources

a21.com.mx · aerotelegraph.com · agra.fr · agronet.ro · automationmagazine.co.uk · azocleantech.com · bagimsizhavacilar.com · businessam.be · businessamlive.com · cargoforwarder.eu · chemindigest.com · cmjornal.xl.pt · dagensps.se · elsiglo.com.gt · forbes.ro · hosteltur.com · hydrocarbonengineering.com · i40today.com · indiastrategic.in · jornaleconomico.sapo.pt · kleanindustries.com · meteored.com.ar · money.ro · nieuwrechts.nl · opcaoturismo.pt · orbitworldtravel.com.au · retema.es · revistatravelmanager.es · rynek-lotniczy.pl · sapo.pt · tempo.com · travelnews.no

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history