Axens announced the launch of the first industrial SAF plant, an initiative that will give rise to France’s first industrial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production unit based on advanced bioethanol. The facility, whose final location is still being selected, will have a planned capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year and is scheduled to begin operations in 2030.
In addition, the project expands the company’s industrial strategy to accelerate the transition to low-emission mobility. ERA joins the NACRE project, aimed at producing advanced bioethanol in Lacq, which has already obtained a building permit and is part of the development of new value chains for renewable fuels.
A new pathway to scale up SAF production
Growing global demand for sustainable aviation fuel is driving the search for feedstocks other than those currently used. Most commercial SAF is produced via the HEFA route, based on used cooking oils and animal fats—an availability that is limited compared with the aviation sector’s decarbonization targets.
In this context, the ERA project will use advanced bioethanol obtained from biomass residues and European feedstocks, expanding the options to increase the supply of SAF and strengthen France’s and Europe’s energy security.
Jetanol technology to maximize yield
The future plant will also incorporate Jetanol technology, co-developed by Axens and IFPEN. This technological solution has previously been validated in various petrochemical applications and was optimized to increase yield in sustainable aviation fuel production.
The project will be developed by the special-purpose company SAFIRIS, which is currently moving forward with the engineering phase with the goal of starting commercial production in 2030.
Response to European decarbonization targets
The initiative aligns with the expected increase in SAF demand driven by European aviation emissions-reduction policies. The development of new production routes will help diversify the supply of sustainable fuels and reduce dependence on currently limited feedstocks.
With an estimated capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year, ERA aims to establish itself as an industrial model for the development of new SAF plants based on advanced bioethanol and contribute to strengthening a European supply chain for the aviation sector.
Source: Biofuels
Photo: Shutterstock