Reliability through experience
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) was the first to be regulatory demanded through RED and ReFuelEU Aviation. SAF is the main lever for decarbonising aviation over the coming decades and a drop-in fuel.
Certified under ASTM D7566, it can be blended with fossil jet fuel up to 50% and used in existing aircraft and airport infrastructure. SAF production also co-produces renewable diesel and renewable naphtha.
Sustainable
Aviation Fuel
SAF covers the following production routes relevant to DSEC:
- Ethanol-to-Jet, from advanced or 2G-based ethanol
- Methanol-to-Jet, from bio-, e- or hybrid methanol
- Power-to-Liquid (RFNBO SAF/e-SAF), from renewable hydrogen and CO2
- HEFA-based SAF, from waste oils, residual fats and other lipid feedstocks
SAF production benefits from strong binding and steadily increasing regulatory demand. ReFuelEU Aviation requires fuel suppliers at EU airports to blend a minimum share of SAF, rising steeply from 6% in 2030 to 70% in 2050.
From 2030 onwards, the SAF mandate includes a dedicated sub-mandate for synthetic aviation fuels made from e-Methanol (RFNBO) or from synthetic crude derived from CO2 and renewable hydrogen. Food and feed crop-based fuels are excluded in this mandate, which makes feedstock selection and certification a central part of every SAF project.
