The role of bio-based sustainable aviation fuels in the emission reductions of the aviation industry is growing

In the aviation industry, key methods of reducing emissions include reducing flying, making the aircraft and operations more efficient and transitioning to the use of alternative power sources. Electrification and hydrogen technology can reduce the emissions of aviation in the long term, especially over short distances, but in the big picture, liquid bio-based or synthetic aviation fuels are the key to reducing emissions quickly. 

“The benefit of bio-based sustainable aviation fuels is that they can already be mixed with fossil jet fuel today, which makes it possible to reduce the emissions of the operation without changing the aircraft or infrastructure. In the 2030s, the use of 100% bio-based sustainable aviation fuels will also become possible,” emphasises Traficom’s Director responsible for aviation Jari Pöntinen.

Trafcom's recent report describes the use of bio-based sustainable aviation fuels in flying and its prerequisites, opportunities, requirements and development prospects.

Regulation aims to encourage production and use 

Key measures for encouraging the development and use of bio-based sustainable aviation fuels include the CORSIA system on the global level, tax credits in the United States, and the Renewable Energy Directive, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the emissions trading of the EU and the EU taxonomy in Europe. Many individual countries also encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuels in various ways.

“The supply obligation in accordance with the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation aims at ensuring that 70% of the supply of aviation fuels at the airports in the EU will consist of sustainable aviation fuels by 2050. This is a very ambitious goal, and it requires extensive cooperation between all actors in the field,” Pöntinen notes.

The sustainability of raw materials must be ensured

Bio-based sustainable aviation fuels are a subset of sustainable aviation fuels, and they can be manufactured out of used cooking fat, animal fat, inedible energy plants, agricultural and forestry waste, municipal bio-waste and algae. These fuels are subject to set sustainability criteria, and they are not allowed to compete with food production, for example. 

Finnish operators consider it important for the production and supply of sustainable aviation fuels to take place in Finland as well. There is a concern that the rapidly growing market can create challenges in ensuring sustainability. 

The biggest bottleneck is the investments – according to estimations there will be enough raw materials

The report shows that in the EU, it is estimated that there are enough sustainably produced bio-based raw materials to meet the requirements of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. However, this also requires a significant investment in the manufacturing of synthetic aviation fuels; Finland is also considered to have potential for their production.

“Sustainable aviation fuels becoming more widely used requires a considerable amount of industrial investments. It is estimated that more than 200 new sustainable aviation fuel production plants are needed in Europe alone to be able to meet the demand in 2050,” says Riku Huhta from Destia, who acted as the Project Manager in drawing up the report.

The report was drafted by Destia Oy for Traficom.