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 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
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
KTN has 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
UK – Germany Bilateral: Collaborative R&D
Opens: 07/02/2023 Closes: 07/06/2023
UK registered organisations, collaborating with at least one German SME applying under the equivalent German ZIM programme, can apply for a share of up to £4 million for collaborative research projects resulting in innovative solutions.
More Information
Innovate UK Smart grants: January 2023
Opens: 19/01/2023 Closes: 26/04/2023
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy.
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Red Diesel Replacement competition
Opens: 08/02/2023 Closes: 23/03/2023
This competition provides funding for projects developing low carbon alternatives to red diesel for construction, mining and quarrying. This is Phase 2 of a two-phase competition, but is open to all applicants, whether or not they have taken part in Phase 1.
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Power-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel, technical challenges and opportunities to build a UK supply chain
Power-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (sometimes referred to as Power-to-liquids, or PtL) involves the catalytic conversion of green hydrogen produced using renewable energy, and carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Despite having the potential to offer the highest greenhouse gas reduction of the different ASTM certified technical pathways, PtL is the least technically and commercially ready. Watch our recorded webinar to hear experts in SAF discuss the technical challenges and opportunities to build a supply chain in the UK via this pathway.
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Power-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel, technical challenges and opportunities to build a UK supply chain
Power-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (sometimes referred to as Power-to-liquids, or PtL) involves the catalytic conversion of green hydrogen produced using renewable energy, and carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Despite having the potential to offer the highest greenhouse gas reduction of the different ASTM certified technical pathways, PtL is the least technically and commercially ready. Watch our recorded webinar to hear experts in SAF discuss the technical challenges and opportunities to build a supply chain in the UK via this pathway.
Read More
Related News
28/10/2022
Jet Zero Council Zero Emission Flight Delivery Subgroups meet for the first time
The three Jet Zero Council ZEF subgroups focusing on; Aircraft, chaired by Gary Elliott (CEO, ATI), Infrastructure chaired by Dave Lees (CEO, Bristol Airport) and Regulation, chaired by Tim Johnson (Policy Director, CAA) met in the week commencing 10th October.
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19/07/2022
Innovate UK KTN Launches Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme to Grow Domestic Industry
The SAF IP will build the UK SAF supply chain & decarbonise the aviation industry.
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.