While much of the attention in the aviation fuel sector is focused on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), attendees at the inaugural EU Aviation Fuel Stakeholders Forum last week in Cologne, Germany, examined other non-CO2 emissions mitigations that could be derived from changes in jet-A composition.
At the EASA-sponsored event, which hosted 60 industry stakeholders, Maria Rueda—the agency’s strategy and safety management director—acknowledged that even with the increasing use of SAF, fossil-based jet-A will still account for a considerable share of aviation fuel in the coming decades. As a result, the forum considered other methods that could lessen aviation’s impact on the environment.
“Research has shown that fuel composition has a direct impact on the amount of non-CO2 emissions produced,” said Rueda. “These non-CO2 emissions and their impact on climate and local air quality are linked to the amount of aromatics and sulfur present in the fuels.”
EASA was tasked by the EU Parliament to set up a pilot program on jet fuel standards and safety certification with the goals of proposing options for feasible and effective aromatics/sulfur requirements to minimize non-CO2 climate impacts by year-end. It was also charged to foster long-term innovative solutions to significantly improve fuel quality through amendments to fuel specifications by the end of 2025.
The next forum is planned for the fourth quarter.