This CAPA report summarizes recent aviation sustainability news and environment news. It is a selection from 300+ daily news alerts by CAPA. Contact us for more information.
Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Safran and Singapore Airlines signed (15-Feb-2022) a Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) declaration to promote the acceleration of SAF development, productionAnd consumption.
The declaration invites industry partners representing the aerospace, aviation and fuel value chain to work together to increase the use of SAF. It also aims to ensure that there is a steady rise over the next ten-years.
It is open for all airlines, aviation, and aerospace organizations as an addition to their sustainability commitments.
Singapore Airlines is the first airline that signed the declaration.
Sabine Klauke is chief technical officer of Airbus. She stated that the challenge is to encourage SAF use globally and to provide incentives and long-term policies to encourage it. Airbus is also inviting other players to join the initiative. [more – original PR]
Original report: Airbus sign Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel Declaration with Rolls-Royce and Singapore Airlines at the Singapore Airshow
Airbus and Rolls-Royce signed the Global SAF Declaration at Singapore Airshow. This declaration vowed to accelerate the development and production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and encourage the consumption.
The aviation industry plays an important role in achieving the Paris Agreement targets. SAF is one of the key decarbonization levers in the aviation sector.
The Global SAF Declaration invites industry partners from the aviation, aerospace, and fuel value chain to work together towards the uptake SAF as an important part decarbonisation. It also aims to achieve a steady ramp-up over the next ten year.
As an addition to their sustainability commitments, all airlines are welcome to sign the Declaration. The Declaration was signed by Singapore Airlines as the first airline.
Sabine Klauke is Chief Technical Officer at Airbus. She stated that Airbus is committed towards achieving the industry’s common goals of carbon neutral aviation by 2050. There are several levers to reach these goals. Sustainable Aviation Fuels is one of many pillars in the path to decarbonisation. It allows for upto 80% CO2 reduction throughout the SAF lifecycle. Airbus aircraft are certified to fly with 50% SAF. This will increase to 100% by 2030. The challenge lies in encouraging SAF worldwide adoption, as well as providing incentives and long-term policies that encourage SAF usage. Airbus is encouraging other industry players to join the initiative and the Declaration will support that.
Grazia Vitanzi, Chief Technology and Strategic Officer, Rolls-Royce plc said that the signing of the Declaration is a significant milestone for the aerospace sector. We welcome the opportunity for us to push for more SAF usage by coming together across all value chains. It is vital that we all work together to create the momentum necessary to propel this forward. We are all big supporters of alternative propulsion solutions such as hydrogen, hybrid-electric or electric. We also recognize that SAFs can be a key building block for our long-term decarbonisation goals.
Eric Dalbis is Chief Technology Officer of Safran. He stated: Safran supports Global SAF declaration, which underlines industrial engagement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The Group is fully dedicated to delivering disruptive innovation in decarbonisation. It will do this by deploying ultra-efficient engines and 100 percent sustainable aviation fuels to facilitate the ambitious energy transition needed in the aviation industry.
Lee Wen Fen (Senior Vice President Corporate Planning, Singapore Airlines) stated that the Global SAF Declaration reaffirms SIAs determination to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2050. SIA remains committed to our sustainability goals. Together with our partners, SIA has actively promoted the use SAF in Singapore. We also use multiple levers to reach our goals beyond SAF. These include higher operational efficiency and investment in new-generation aircraft. We will continue to work with like-minded partners worldwide to achieve decarbonisation of our operations and environmental sustainability.
Roland Berger, a global leader in aerospace sustainability consulting, supported the creation of the Global SAF Declaration.
Neste and ITOCHU Corporation expanded (16-Feb-2022) their partnership to grow the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Japan.
Under the expanded partnership, ITOCHU acts as the branded distributor of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Japan making Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel available first at Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita airports.
Through their expanded partnership, NesteAnd ITOCHU will be able to support other domestic and international airlines as well as other fuel suppliers at Tokyo HanedaAnd Tokyo Narita airports going forward. [more – original PR]
Original report: Neste and ITOCHU expand partnership to grow the availability of sustainable aviation fuel in Japan
ITOCHU Corporation and Neste have extended their partnership to increase the availability sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in Japan. ITOCHU will now be the branded distributor of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel Japan. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel will now be available first at Tokyo Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.
Neste, ITOCHU and All Nippon Airways have been cooperating since 2020. This has allowed Neste to deliver its first SAF into Asia from Japan. With their expanded partnership, Neste & ITOCHU can support other domestic and international airlines, as well as fuel suppliers at Haneda International Airports and Narita International Airports.
ITOCHU and Neste have a long-standing relationship. Our collaboration on renewable diesel business in California began in the 2010s. We are happy to expand our relationship. Tsuyoshi Matsumoto from ITOCHU’s Petroleum Trading Department, states that the aviation industry is now one of the leading innovators in reducing carbon footprint. She adds that they are excited to increase availability of SAF in Japan through a partnership with Neste.
This partnership is a major step towards making our sustainable aviation fuel readily available on the Japanese markets. It demonstrates our determination to work with the aviation sector to meet its emission reduction targets. Global SAF production capacity will reach 1.5 million tons annually by 2023. This includes up to 1,000,000 tons of SAF production capacity at our Singapore refinery. The capacity extension project is expected to begin-up in the first quarter 2023. Sami Jauhiainen is Nestes Vice President APAC Renewable Aviation. He says that the company is ready to assist the Japanese and wider Asia-Pacific aviation markets in driving emissions reductions.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan presented a roadmap to Study Group on CO2 reduction from airplanes. It recommended that a target of replacing 10% of jet fuels used by Japanese airlines by 2030 with SAF. ITOCHU and Neste have committed to supporting Japan’s climate emission reduction targets, and to contributing to them through the partnership.
Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel provides an immediate solution to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions from flying. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%*, in its neat form and over the life cycle, compared to fossil jet fuel. SAF produced by Neste is made from 100% renewable, sustainably sourced waste and residue materials. It can be used in existing aircraft engines, airport fuel infrastructures, and does not require additional investment.
*) Calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology
ExxonMobile selected by Singapore Airlines to supply SAF for a year pilot
Singapore Airlines, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Temasek Holdings selected (13-Feb-2022) ExxonMobil as the vendor to supplyAnd deliver sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over a one year pilot period.
ExxonMobil will supply the carrier with blended SAF, which will consist of 1.3 million litres. Neste and produced from used cooking oil and waste animal fats, blended with refined jet fuel at ExxonMobil’s facilities in Singapore.
The blended fuel will arrive at Singapore Changi Airport via the airport’s existing fuel hydrant system by the end of Jul-2022.
All Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights will use the blended fuel. The pilot will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2500 tonnes. [more – original PR]
Original report: CAAS and Singapore Airlines, Temasek Pick ExxonMobil to Supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Singapore Pilots
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and Singapore-headquartered global investment company Temasek have selected ExxonMobil as the vendor to supply and deliver sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of a pilot on the use of SAF in Singapore.
SIA, Temasek and CAAS will support this pilot by purchasing blended SAF from ExxonMobil. This product will consist of 1.25 million litres pure SAF (sustainable fuels that have not been mixed or diluted). It will be supplied by Neste. The product is made from used cooking oil and will be blended at ExxonMobils Singapore facilities.
This blended fuel will arrive at Changi Airport via Changi Airport’s existing fuel-hydrant system by the end-July 2022. This blended fuel will be used by all Scoot and Singapore Airlines flights starting in the third quarter 2022. The SAF is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 2,500 tonnes over the course of the pilot.
ExxonMobil was appointed following a Request for Proposal (dated 10 November 2021) inviting select producers and fuel suppliers, to develop and execute plans for blended SAF delivery to Singapore Changi Airport. This is a continuation of an earlier study by the Singapore Government, industry players, and others on the commercial and operational viability of SAF at Changi Airport.
Mr Han Kok Juan is the Director-General at CAAS. He stated: Sustainability will be a key priority for CAAS as we revive air travel and build the Singapore air hub. The CAAS-SIA Temasek SAF pilot is a key building block in our efforts to create a sustainable air hub. It will operationally validate SAF integration options for Singapore, provide insight on end-to–end cost components, possible pricing structures for cost recovery, and support future policy considerations regarding SAF deployment.
Ms Lee Wen Fen is Senior Vice President, Corporate planning, Singapore Airlines. She stated: Sustainable aviation fuels are a key lever for decarbonisation and a crucial pathway to the success of SIA Groups promise to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2050. This pilot demonstrates our commitment to decarbonisation, sustainability and all aspects of our operations. Working with our partners will allow us to accelerate and scale up the adoption sustainable aviation fuels in Singapore.
Temaseks Managing director, Sustainable Solutions, Frederick Teo said: The SAF pilot is an important step in our efforts to operationalise solutions for decarbonising hard-to-abate industries like aviation. We look forward learning valuable operational lessons from the pilot and working closely together with our partners to push the boundaries for sustainable aviation through innovative industry-wide strategies for decarbonisation.
Ms Geraldine Chun, Chairman and the Managing Director, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd said: ExxonMobil was proud to be a long-standing customer Singapore Airlines’ first SAF pilot in Singapore. We have the infrastructure and logistics capabilities to supply fuel blends with Nestes sustainable aviation fuel at Changi Airport. We are leveraging our technology, resources, and capabilities to provide more renewable fuels for customers to reduce their carbon emissions.
Mr Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President Renewable Aviation of Neste said: We are thrilled to work with ExxonMobil to supply Singapore Airlines locally blended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation fuel. It is in line with our long-standing commitment to Singapore’s sustainability ambitions. SAF is a crucial and readily available solution to help aviation meet its emission reduction goals. Our expansion of the Singapore refinery will allow us to produce up 1 million tonnes per year of SAF to serve aviation markets throughout Asia-Pacific and worldwide.
Mr Tan Lye Teck (Executive Vice President, Airport Management at Changi Airport Group) stated: “Changi Airport Group is dedicated to advancing Changi’s status as a sustainable airport hub by supporting green initiatives. We will collaborate with airlines, industry players, and government agencies to accelerate SAF adoption at Changi Airport. This will allow for more sustainable air travel.
Virgin Group and Agilyx partner to develop and research waste-to-fuel facilities
Virgin Group partnered (15-Feb-2022) with chemical conversion technology company Agilyx to research and develop lower carbon fuel facilities to help address plastic pollution and the global transition to net zero carbon emissions.
The companies will recycle plastic waste to create synthetic crude oil. This will be refined to a lower carbon fuel. Virgin Atlantic Airways and other Virgin companies expected to be early adopters.
The first waste-to fuel location is planned. US, with plans for similar plants to be built in other countries such as the UK.
Shai Weiss CEO Virgin Atlantic stated: “In this ten years, Sustainable Aviation Fuel will be the key solution to decarbonization of aviation sector. But we have a long road ahead.” [more – original PR]
Original report: Virgin Group & Agilyx Form Strategic Partnership for Lower Carbon
Virgin Group and Agilyx, a chemical conversion technology company, have announced a strategic partnership to jointly research and develop lower-carbon fuel facilities. This will help reduce plastic pollution and support the global transition towards net zero.
Virgin Group and Agilyx are aiming to recycle plastic waste in order to produce synthetic crude oil which can then be refined to a lower carbon fuel. Plastic waste that is not recyclable will be diverted from landfill. This will allow for more options in the market to lower-carbon fuels, which are currently limited. Virgin Group hopes to offer lower carbon fuel solutions to global markets and expects Virgin Atlantic, and other Virgin companies, to be early adopters as part its transitional plans to reach net zero by 2050.
Virgin Group plans to partner with Agilyx, which it has invested in for many years, on the development and operation of the production facilities that use its unique conversion technology. Cyclyx, a feedstock company that is majority owned Agilyx, will source the plastic waste needed for the fuel in the first facility.
The US will be the first place to receive waste-to fuel. It is hoped that similar plants can be built in other countries including the UK.
Agilyx’s proprietary technology is capable of breaking down plastic waste by using pyrolysis. Pyrolysis transforms mixed waste plastic into synthetic crude oil that can be further refined to make a lower-carbon fuel.
Josh Bayliss CEO of Virgin Group says: Innovation and entrepreneurship can be important tools to address climate crisis. Virgin and other companies play an important part in meeting those challenges. That is why we have formed this strategic alliance with Agilyx. The creation of low-carbon fuel is an important step on the road to net zero. We are pleased to add this project to our portfolio of investments aimed at addressing these problems.
Tim Stedman is the CEO of Agilyx. He said: We are happy to partner with Virgin Group to enable technology solutions for lower carbon fuels as it moves towards net zero. This platform is unique because it will be used to produce lower carbon fuels. Plastic waste is a valuable resource above ground that is not being widely used. We use our technology to unlock the value in plastic waste that was otherwise destined for landfills or incineration.
Shai Weiss is CEO of Virgin Atlantic. He says that Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the key to decarbonizing the aviation sector in the next decade. However, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. Innovators, producers, investors, and airlines must work together to make tomorrow’s skies a reality. We are proud that Virgin Group, Agilyx and other pilots are pursuing new pathways in lower-carbon fuels. We look forward working closely with them to reach our 10% SAF goal by 2030.
Airbus and SEA SpA sign a hydrogen distribution research agreement
Airbus and SEA SpA signed (14-Feb-2022) a memorandum of understanding to researchAnd implement projects related to the distribution of hydrogen at Milan Malpensa Airport and Milan Linate Airport.
The agreement will focus on feasibility studies aimed at developing a hydrogen refuelling hub for non-aviation use in the short term, as well as developing long term infrastructure for hydrogen use in aviation.
Airbus is expecting to produce a hydrogen powered aircraft by 2035, as previously reported by CAPA. [more – original PR]
Original report: SEA AND AIRBUS SIGN AGREEMENT
SEA, the company that manages Milano LinateAnd Milano Malpensa airports, and Airbus, global leader in the aeronautical and aerospace industry, today signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” for the study and implementation of projects for the distribution of hydrogen at Milan’s airports.
Airbus is expected produce the first hydrogen powered aircraft around 2035. This means that airports need to be ready for the new aircraft and have the necessary facilities to supply hydrogen.
Milan’s airports are ready to take on the challenge and lead Europe in welcoming the new generation of aircraft.
They will combine their expertise to support decarbonisation of aviation. The agreement will include a series of feasibility studies that will help develop a hydrogen refuelling hub in non-aviation and long-term infrastructure for aviation hydrogen use.
Airports will need hydrogen distributors, and thus be a reference point for surrounding regions. Milano Malpensa has already accepted this challenge, confirming its importance as a driver for the entire region.
“SEA has made a concrete step forward with this agreement in enabling important solutions to decarbonise airports and the entire aviation industry – stated Armando Brunini (CEO of SEA). We are going through a significant transition and have chosen, along with our partners, to be at the forefront. Airbus is a key player in the evolution of aviation. This is a change that is unimaginable only a few years ago. We are proud to be a part of it.
SEA will have net zero carbon emissions by 2030. That’s twenty years earlier than the deadline of 2050 set by the European Green Deal. SEA will contribute significantly to the complex task of CO2 reduction, while improving energy efficiency, quality, and biodiversity as part of the European Commission funded project “OLGA hOlistic &Green Airports”. An important SEA’s strategic plan, aimed at rapid postpandemic recovery, has a strong focus on environmental and sustainability-related transition.
Airbus also revealed its ambitious strategy to decarbonise air transport, in which the ZEROe Project – which is investigating zero-emission technologies on a future aircraft – plays a key role. Hydrogen is one of many promising zero-emission technologies that can reduce aviation’s climate impact. Airports play an important role in enabling a climateneutral ecosystem.