Boeing and Technion Push for Cost-Competitive Electrofuels in New SAF Phase

By Ujjwal Sukhwani—Published Jan 27, 2026 at 06:41 PM UTC, 2 min read

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.

Boeing and Technion Push for Cost-Competitive Electrofuels in New SAF Phase

Boeing and the Technion are moving their joint sustainable aviation fuel initiative from studies to practical development of cost-competitive electrofuels.

Key Takeaways

•Boeing and Technion are moving their joint SAF initiative from feasibility studies to practical, hands-on development of electrofuels (e-SAF).
•The project focuses on Power-to-Liquid (PtL) e-SAF, which is made using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.
•The core challenge is cost, as e-SAF is currently estimated to be 2-5 times more expensive than traditional jet fuel, making the 'cost-competitive' focus critical for industry scale.
•SAF is expected to contribute approximately 65% of the emissions reduction needed for the aviation industry to reach its net-zero 2050 goal.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology are advancing their joint initiative on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The collaboration is transitioning from feasibility studies to hands-on development. The goal is to produce cost-competitive electrofuels (e-SAF). This move is a major step for the SAF development project.

The Boeing–Technion SAF Innovation Center

The Boeing–Technion SAF Innovation Center was established in late 2023. It focuses on developing and qualifying electrofuels. E-SAF is produced using the Power-to-Liquid (PtL) process. This process combines green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide.

This technology is key to reducing aviation carbon emissions. The effort also aims to strengthen energy security. It helps build a local innovation ecosystem in Israel. Israel has a national goal to produce SAF locally by 2030.

Addressing the Cost and Scale Challenge

SAF is the industry’s most significant tool for decarbonizing commercial aviation. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates SAF could provide 65% of the emissions reduction needed. This is required to reach the industry’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal.

However, the future of jet fuel faces two main challenges: limited supply and high cost. Current SAF production is small, representing only about 0.6% of total jet fuel consumption in 2025. Furthermore, e-SAF production costs are currently estimated to be two to five times higher than traditional jet fuel.

The Technion project directly addresses the need for cost-competitive electrofuels.
Making e-SAF cheaper is critical for large-scale adoption by airlines.
This research is vital for creating viable sustainable aviation solutions globally.

Boeing Global President Dr. Brendan Nelson noted the importance of this work. He stated it supports the growth of the civil aviation industry. The collaboration is crucial for unlocking the production of SAF worldwide.

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Electrofuels Boeing Technion Decarbonization Commercial Aviation

Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani

Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.

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