Sustainability is the buzzword not just in aviation, but across all the industries. Man-made pollutants like CO2, NO2, and many more have polluted the atmosphere to such an extent leading to depleting the protective ozone layer, melting of ice, and drastic changes in climate, in short leading to the destruction of the planet. It’s already high time, we realize the impact of pollution and try and salvage the situation, to save our planet for the next generations. The aviation industry woke up to this call at the 77th IATA AGM where a resolution for the global air transport industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was passed. This commitment is in sync with the Paris Agreement’s goal for global warming not to exceed 1.5°C.
Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050
During this majority of the world’s airlines and aerospace companies committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and started taking steps in that direction. The post-COVID air travel has set a clear precedent for sustainability. However, achieving net-zero is a humungous challenge. The aviation industry must progressively reduce its emissions while accommodating the growing demand of a world that is eager to fly.
The most obvious and straightforward path is to decrease the CO2 emission as much as possible through sustainable aviation fuel, new aircraft technology, efficient operations and infrastructure, electric engines, eVTOLs, hydrogen propulsion, and many more. Let us focus on SAF.
Sustainable aviation fuel or biofuel is very similar in chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. It is made from cooking oil, municipal waste, and forestry biomass. IATA has put forward year-wise milestones for SAF production across the world.
IATA – SAF Milestones
- 2025: With appropriate government policy support, SAF production is expected to reach 7.9 billion liters (2% of total fuel requirement)
- 2030: SAF production is 23 billion liters (5.2% of total fuel requirement). ANSPs have fully implemented the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrades and regional programs such as the Single European Sky
- 2035: SAF production is 91 billion liters (17% of total fuel requirement). Electric and/or hydrogen aircraft for the regional market (50-100 seats, 30-90 min flights) become available
- 2040: SAF production is 229 billion liters (39% of total fuel requirement). Hydrogen aircraft for the short-haul market (100-150 seats, 45-120 min flights) become available.
- 2045: SAF production is 346 billion liters (54% of total fuel requirement).
- 2050: SAF production hits 449 billion liters (65% of total fuel requirement).
The entire aerospace industry has signed partnerships and engaged in testing the latest sustainable technology to achieve a single aim of net-zero emission.
Boeing purchased 2 million gallons SAF from EPIC fuels
Boeing recently purchased two million gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel or SAF from EPIC Fuels to power their Commercial Airplanes operations in Washington state and South Carolina through 2022. This is by far the largest SAF procurement by OEM and highlights Boeing’s commitment to sustainable aviation.
Sheila Remes, Boeing’s vice president of Environmental Sustainability said, “SAF is a safe, proven, immediate solution that will help achieve our industry’s long-term commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality. Through this agreement, we will reduce our carbon footprint and have SAF available for customer deliveries as well as our operations.”
Decarbonizing aerospace logistics
In another major sustainable aviation fuel deal, Neste will supply DHL with approximately 320,000 tons (400 million liters) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This is one of the most significant steps taken by Neste and DHL Express toward decarbonizing aviation logistics by expanding their existing cooperation with a new strategic collaboration
Peter Vanacker, President, and CEO of Neste said, “This milestone agreement, our largest ever for SAF, underlines the growing need and urgency – as well as the commitment – to act on aviation-related emissions. We are pleased to take this significant step together with DHL, which shows the joint ambitions of both companies and is further progress in our journey towards creating a healthier planet for our children.”
Neste signed a contract with Shell Aviation to increase the supply and availability of SAF for the aviation industry. the agreement called the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement will bring together Neste’s expertise in the production and supply of renewable diesel and SAF with Shell Aviation’s world-class credentials in supplying and managing fuel around the world.
Studies & research on 100 percent SAF usage
Embraer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pratt & Whitney to collaborate on studies of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Technical teams from the two companies will engage to define an integrated ground and flight test plan for 100% SAF in a GTF-powered Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
“Pratt & Whitney has been active in SAF testing and certification for almost two decades. We will strategically continue to support 100% SAF flight tests for key customers that expand SAF uptake, including partnering with Embraer to test the E-Jets E2 aircraft on 100% SAF as part of their 2050 net-zero emissions target. Through our constant pursuit of more efficient aircraft propulsion technologies, we are determined to support our customers in achieving their goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, and will ensure that our engines will be ready for operation with 100% SAF”Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pratt & Whitney said.
ATR recently performed a series of ground and flight tests on its ATR 72-600 prototype aircraft, cumulating seven flight hours with 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in one engine. The aircraft was powered by Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from 100 percent renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil.
These tests are part of the 100 percent SAF certification process for ATR aircraft.
Stefano Bortoli, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer said, “As the regional market leader, we aim to lead the change to decarbonization. Already emitting 40 percent less CO2 than similarly-sized regional jets, ATR turboprops are the ideal platform to offer significant advances in the reduction of CO2 emissions. The achievement of this great milestone shows that we are fully committed to making the use of 100 percent SAF possible and helping our customers meet their objectives to provide even more sustainable air links – not in 2035 or 2050 but the coming years.”
Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels
Airbus, DLR, Rolls Royce, and Neste have teamed up to start an interesting project called ‘‘Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels.’ This project will study the effects of 100 percent sustainable fuel on aircraft emissions and performance.
Steven Le Moing, New Energy Programme Manager, Airbus said, “SAF is a vital part of Airbus’ ambition to decarbonize the aviation industry and we are working closely with several partners to ensure a sustainable future for air travel. Aircraft can currently only operate using a maximum 50 percent blend of SAF and fossil kerosene; this exciting collaboration will not only provide insight into how gas-turbine engines function using 100 percent SAF with a certification view but identify the potential emissions reductions and environmental benefits of using such fuels in flight on a commercial aircraft too”.
Both the flight and the ground tests will compare emissions from the use of 100 percent SAF produced with HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) technology against those from fossil kerosene and low-sulfur fossil kerosene. The SAF will be provided by Neste and additional measurement and analysis for the charactecharacterization particulate-matter emissions during the ground testing will be delivered by the UK’s University of Manchester and the National Research Council of Canada.
Oneworld Alliance commitment to sustainable aviation
Members of the Oneworld Alliance intend to purchase more than 350 million gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel from renewable fuels company Aemetis for their operations at San Francisco International Airport, further signifying the alliance’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
OneWorld members including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways will look to utilize the sustainable aviation fuel for their operations at San Francisco Airport, with the potential for additional Oneworld members to participate in the coming months.
United Airlines, first US airline to purchase SAF
United Airlines became the first US airline to sign a purchase agreement with Neste for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). United will be able to buy more than 50 million gallons of SAF over the next three years. According to the announcement, the SAF purchased from Neste will fuel United flights from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
United also made headlines in December 2021 when they announced the completion of the first commercial flight using 100% sustainable fuel. The aircraft transported more than 100 passengers from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and used 500 gallons of SAF. Boeing, CFM International, Virent, and World Energy supported this achievement.
Leftover oil from fries @SAF
In an interesting move, an airport in Dallas is using the leftover oil from the fryers of over 200 restaurants to turn into sustainable fuel for aircraft, a solution that could massively drop the environmental impact of the over 150,000 flights per day worldwide. The solution, masterminded by Dallas Fort-Worth International airport, is not only a fantastic fix for the gallons of waste produced by restaurants but also a fuel option that Airbus has already demonstrated in a flight recently.
For making SAF, cooking oil is refined into a synthetic aviation fuel by removing the oxygen but as aircraft cannot currently rely solely on synthetic aviation fuel, this is then blended with standard fuel to make it suitable for flight. Once it is complete, SAF allows for normal planes to fly with around 80 percent fewer emissions, including those released during its production.
Apart from the above OEMs, engine manufacturers, airline operators, airports, and MROs, there are many medium to small-scale aerospace industries using the SAF in their way and making an impact on green aviation.
The path from stabilizing emissions to emissions reductions will require a collective effort. All industry stakeholders, including governments, must take responsibility to address the environmental impact of their policies, products, and activities. And they must work together to deliver sustainable connectivity and ultimately break aviation’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Aviation has a history of realizing what was thought to be impossible. From the first commercial flight to the first commercial jet was about 35 years. And twenty years on we had the first jumbo jet. Sustainability is the challenge of our generation. And today we are launching a challenging transition. But in 30 years it is also within reach of human ingenuity, provided governments and the whole industry work together and hold each other accountable for delivery.
