SAF still best emissions tool for airlines: Panel

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is still the airline industry's best way to limit emissions in the short- term, according to panelists at an Argus event today, despite its higher costs and technical challenges.

The ability to use SAF in existing infrastructure and aircraft without the need to replace equipment highlights the fuel as a "now solution" to carbon reduction, said Southwest Airline's director of environmental sustainability, Helen Giles, at the Argus North American Biofuels, LCFS & Carbon Markets Summit in Monterey, California.

The cost of SAF production, current availability and blend limits with conventional aviation fuel — which is currently at 50pc — are headwinds to its increased use. But other alternatives, like hydrogen and batteries, also face significant challenges, including their potential weight increase for aircraft and the loss of passenger space. They also must play catch-up to the current and proposed SAF developments.

SAF demand has surged in recent years even though production remains in the early stages of development, said Chris Cooper, president of Neste US, the US subsidiary of the world's largest renewable fuels producer. Global demand has Neste selling "every drop" of SAF produced in the next 10 years, Cooper said.

More competition among SAF producers will be welcome, said Tim Cesarek, chief operational officer for US renewable fuel producer GEVO. Developments in all seven SAF pathways, such as using vegetable oil and animal fats as feedstocks, is needed to close the gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF consumption, Cesarek said.

GEVO acknowledged that it may need to rely on sectors that value the decarbonization benefits of SAF to minimize the costs to other customers.

By Craig Ross