Efforts grow to use 100pc SAF in aircraft engines

Tests to use 100pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in aircraft engines are growing in a bid to surpass the current blending requirements set out by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which only allow up to 50pc of SAF to be blended with fossil jet fuel.

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has this week performed a first A380 flight powered by 100pc SAF, for which 27t of unblended biojet were provided by TotalEnergies. The SAF was produced in Normandy from waste fats and used cooking oil (UCO). This is the third Airbus aircraft type to fly on 100pc SAF over the last year, the company said.

And today aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney entered an initial agreement with Air BP to test the application of SAF blends up to 100pc in its engine testing and research. As part of the agreement, the parties will work collaboratively to explore the viable supply to Pratt and Whitney of SAF blends with up to 100pc SAF for engine and propulsion systems testing through 2024. "As we continue to develop new technologies and feedstocks, some of which may be unique to US availability, it will be very useful for both companies to collaborate on testing and understanding fuel performance and, on working on increasing SAF utilisation in engines up to 100pc," Air BP sustainability director Andreea Moyes said.

Rolls-Royce has already successfully tested 100pc SAF in an engine last year and said that all its Trent aircraft engines will be cleared to run on 100pc biojet by 2023.

And US manufacturer Boeing said its commercial airplanes will be capable and certified to fly on 100pc SAF by 2030, and has successfully tested a plane flying on 100pc SAF.

By Giulia Squadrin