Global petrochemical fuel provider ExxonMobil has partnered with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Neste to establish commercial-scale distribution of the latter’s renewable fuel at major airports in France. The move follows French legislation that took effect on January 1 and calls for airlines to use at least 1 percent SAF for flights originating in France as part of the European Green Deal. The European goal is to reach 2 percent SAF usage by 2025 and 5 percent by 2030.
SAF is a fully miscible, drop-in replacement for jet-A and Neste’s MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is derived from 100 percent renewable sources such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. It is currently a blend of 30 percent SAF/70 percent jet-A, but once approved for use at 100 percent it can provide lifecycle CO2 emissions reductions of up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.
While a spokesperson noted that SAF availability would begin with Paris gateways Charles De Gaulle and Orly airports, ExxonMobil declined to state when deliveries would commence.
“We are delivering solutions that enable customers to meet product performance requirements while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Charles Amyot, ExxonMobil’s lead manager in France. “We have the capabilities and infrastructure to safely and reliably provide this energy, and will be ready to comply with new French regulations for sustainable aviation fuel.”