Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Liquid fuels will be a requirement for long-haul air travel in the longer term and a requirement for short haul whilst new technologies such as electric and electric/hybrid are developed. Aviation contributes around 2-3% to global CO2 emissions; through the International Civil Aviation Organization, the industry is committed to carbon neutral growth from 2021.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) offer a 70% reduction in lifecycle carbon and a 90% reduction in particulates, making them cleaner burning than petroleum-based jet fuel.
Sustainable Aviation forecast that a UK SAF industry will deliver 14 new SAF production facilities by 2035, add £2.7bn GVA to the UK economy, and support 13,600 jobs across the SAF supply chain.
Any new aviation fuel must undergo significant fit-for-purpose testing with increasing cost and fuel volumes through the four-tier process. This is a significant barrier to the market uptake of lower carbon fuels for aviation. In recognition of this barrier, Innovate UK KTN set up a UK Clearing House Task Force comprising industry experts to create a business case for national virtual capability to support producers through the early stages of fuel testing.
At Innovate UK KTN we understand the importance and challenges around early technology readiness level development of SAF, as well as commercial scale-up and deployment. We work closely with industry experts and government to identify priority areas for R&D, supporting acceleration of feedstock production pathways; infrastructure; blending; storage and logistics; and technical specification and certification.
Cleared for Offtake
Innovate UK KTN produced a detailed report considering the areas any business looking to become involved in the supply of SAF should consider. You can access the report here.
R&D priorities
We have produced a report looking at the R&D priorities needed to support a UK SAF industry which can be accessed here.
Our Experts
Related Opportunities
Innovate UK Smart grants: June 2023
Opens: 15/06/2023 Closes: 27/09/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25m for game changing, commercially viable R&D that can significantly impact the UK economy.
More Information
Innovate UK Investor Partnerships: SME round 4
Opens: 31/08/2023 Closes: 25/10/2023
UK registered businesses can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners.
More Information
Innovate UK innovation loans future economy: round 11
Opens: 14/09/2023 Closes: 08/11/2023
UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Fri
27
Jan
2023
Power-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel, technical challenges and opportunities to build a UK supply chain
10.00 - 11.30 | Online
Watch now
Related News
21/04/2023
Jet Zero Council's 2-year delivery plan
Innovate UK KTN worked with the government and Jet Zero Council chairs to define a two year plan published this week for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and zero emission flight (ZEF).
Read more
04/05/2023
Jet Zero Council Zero Emissions Flight Delivery Group - April 2023 meeting
The Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group (ZEF DG) held its fourth meeting at ADS Group in London.
Read more
Programmes related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Innovate UK KTN has conducted an analysis to support the growth of the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry and support the ambitions of the Jet Zero Council. This interactive analysis offers insight into the feedstock and technology pathways being utilised, the chemical products and the scale of production (TRL), to inform your supply chain development and showcase the UK’s potential in SAF.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme
Collaboration is essential to building the UK’s SAF supply chain. Our expert team at Innovate UK KTN can help you find the right connections and resources to help you develop and commercialise your Sustainable Aviation Fuel project.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Investment Programme
Innovate UK KTN is pivotal to the work currently undergoing to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry in the UK. As the industry seeks to reach the mandate of 10% SAF by 2030, investment into producers, feedstock, and technologies across the value chain will be critical to reaching this target.