Japan Airlines (JAL) and Airbus have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corporation, and the Green Earth Institute (GEI) to develop SAF using Japanese wood . This agreement marks a key collaboration in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry by utilizing a renewable, domestic source for bioethanol production .
The MORISORA Project, launched in 2023 by Nippon Paper, Sumitomo Corporation , and GEI, advanced in 2025 with the signing of an agreement to establish a joint venture. The new initiative aims to leverage domestic woody biomass to produce SAF that meets CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction for International Aviation) requirements, a crucial step in the transition to greener air transport .
SAF targets with Japanese wood
JAL has set a goal to replace 10% of its conventional aviation fuel with SAF by 2030, aligning with Airbus’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Through this collaboration, JAL and Airbus will help build a SAF supply chain using Japanese wood bioethanol, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry.
Airbus will play a key role in certifying this new type of SAF , while JAL will be responsible for connecting SAF suppliers with key players in the industry, working towards creating a viable market for this renewable fuel .
The project is based on a circular economy model, in which the felling, use, planting, and cultivation of trees contribute to reducing carbon emissions. This sustainable model also fosters job creation in regions involved in SAF and bioethanol production, generating a positive impact on both the environment and local communities.
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Source and internal photo: Japan Airlines
Main photo: Shutterstock
