The partnership with Airbus supports DG Fuels’ objective to progress toward a final investment decision (FID) on constructing its first SAF plant in the United States.
Airbus has entered into a strategic partnership with DG Fuels, LLC (DGF), an emerging leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This partnership aligns with Airbus’s commitment to supporting efforts that facilitate the availability of SAFs on a global scale, a critical component of the aviation industry’s decarbonization strategy. DGF specializes in producing SAFs derived from cellulosic waste products, such as wood waste from the logging industry, and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. This approach makes it a unique player in the SAF market, emphasizing sustainability and circular economy principles.
The SAF production plant planned by DGF aims to have an initial capacity of approximately 120 million US gallons (454 million liters) per year, primarily using cellulosic feedstocks. This production capacity could potentially save approximately 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually from 2026, contributing significantly to the aviation sector’s emissions reduction goals.
Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus said, “Sustainable aviation fuels play a crucial role in enabling aviation’s decarbonisation roadmap. We are committed to supporting all efforts that contribute to making them available at scale around the globe. The partnership with DG Fuels supports the emergence of a new technological pathway allowing for the production of SAFs from a broader range of waste and residue sources, first in the U.S with a potential for large-scale production worldwide.”
The partnership with Airbus supports DG Fuels’ objective to progress toward a final investment decision (FID) on constructing its first SAF plant in the United States. The FID is expected by early 2024, marking a significant milestone in the development of sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure.
“The DGF team is excited to have finalised this SAF partnership with Airbus,” commented Michael Darcy, Chairman and CEO, DG Fuels, “and we look forward to working together to accelerate the initial SAF facility in Louisiana and the subsequent scale up at various locations in the United States and beyond.”
Part of the SAF produced in the first plant is intended to benefit Airbus customers, further advancing the adoption of SAFs in aviation. This partnership reflects the commitment of both Airbus and DG Fuels to promote the use of SAFs as a key means of reducing the aviation industry’s environmental footprint.
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Moreover, this initiative is consistent with the U.S. government-sponsored SAF Grand Challenge, a program aimed at reducing costs, improving sustainability, and expanding domestic SAF production. The goal of the SAF Grand Challenge is to produce 3 billion US gallons (approximately 11.3 billion liters) of domestic sustainable aviation fuel annually by 2030, with at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. By 2050, the aim is to cover 100% of projected aviation fuel consumption, which equates to around 35 billion US gallons per year.
