Can AeroVerde's New Biofuel Project Meet Europe's SAF Demand by 2030?
Key Points
- 1Haffner Energy and IGNIS P2X launched AeroVerde in Spain to produce bioSAF and e-SAF from residual biomass.
- 2The project directly addresses the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate, which requires a 6% SAF blend in the EU by 2030.
- 3EASA data shows SAF accounted for only 0.6% of EU jet fuel supply in 2024, highlighting a massive production gap.
- 4AeroVerde utilizes Haffner's technology to convert non-food-competing residual biomass into hydrogen-rich syngas for fuel production.
Advanced biofuels pioneer Haffner Energy and energy developer IGNIS P2X have launched a joint venture called AeroVerde. The advanced biofuels project Spain aims to boost the region's Sustainable Aviation Fuel production. AeroVerde will focus on producing both bio-SAF and e-SAF.
This new initiative is a direct response to the European Union's ambitious climate goals. The project is currently in its initial phase. Partners are identifying the optimal location for their first site in Spain.
Technology and Feedstock Innovation
The core of the AeroVerde project is Haffner Energy's proprietary technology. This system converts residual biomass to SAF by turning it into hydrogen-rich syngas. The biomass used does not compete with food or feed crops. This aligns with strict circular economy principles.
The resulting syngas is then processed into bio-SAF. This uses established pathways like Alcohol-to-Jet and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Furthermore, the process generates surplus biogenic CO2. This CO2 will be combined with renewable hydrogen (RFNBO) from IGNIS P2X. This combination allows for the creation of e-SAF, a synthetic aviation fuel.
This dual-fuel approach highlights the Haffner Energy IGNIS P2X partnership's commitment. It seeks to diversify feedstock beyond traditional sources. This is crucial for the long-term aviation decarbonization strategy.
The Urgency of the ReFuelEU Aviation Mandate
The launch of AeroVerde comes amid intense regulatory pressure. The European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation mandate requires airlines to use a minimum SAF blend. This mandatory blend starts at 2% in 2025. It must reach 6% SAF blend by 2030 for all flights departing EU airports.
However, the European SAF market faces a significant supply gap. A report from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) highlights this challenge. According to the October report, SAF made up only 0.6% of all aviation fuel supplied in the EU in 2024.
Challenges in Current SAF Supply
Most current SAF is produced from used cooking oil and animal fats (HEFA). The EASA report noted that about 69% of this HEFA-based SAF was imported from Asia.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has criticized this reliance on imports. They argue that the carbon footprint of importing feedstock defeats the EU mandate's purpose.
Projects like AeroVerde offer a solution. They focus on local, advanced feedstock. This reduces the reliance on imported materials. It also provides a scalable alternative to the constrained HEFA supply.
Industry Impact and Opportunities
AeroVerde represents a critical opportunity for Spain and the EU. It will help meet the growing demand for sustainable jet fuel. The project's success is vital for airlines operating in Europe. They face mandatory compliance deadlines and potential penalties.
- Diversified Supply: The use of residual biomass to SAF and e-SAF pathways diversifies the feedstock pool. This reduces competition with other sectors.
- Local Production: Strategically locating the plant in Spain will optimize local biomass availability. This shortens supply chains and lowers transport emissions.
- Technological Advancement: The combination of thermolysis and Power-to-X technologies pushes the boundaries of Sustainable Aviation Fuel production.
As the project progresses through its site selection phase, the aviation industry will watch closely. The ability of such advanced projects to scale rapidly is key. This will determine if the EU can successfully close the gap between current EASA SAF supply data and the 2030 mandate. For more updates on this and other industry developments, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.
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