Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Liquid fuels will be a requirement for long-haul air travel in the longer-term and a requirement for short haul whilst new technologies such as electric and electric/hybrid are developed. Aviation contributes around 2-3% to global CO2 emissions and through the UN body, ICAO, the industry is committed to carbon neutral growth from 2021.
SAFs offer a 70% reduction in life-cycle carbon and a 90% reduction in particulates making them cleaner burning than petroleum-based jet fuel. Sustainable Aviation forecast that a UK SAF industry will deliver 14 new SAF production facilities by 2035, add £2.7bn GVA to the UK economy and support 13,600 jobs across the SAF supply chain.
Any new aviation fuel must undergo significant fit-for-purpose testing with increasing cost and fuel volumes through the four-tier process. This is a significant barrier to the market uptake of lower carbon fuels for aviation. In recognition of this barrier, KTN set up a UK Clearing House Task Force comprising industry experts to create a business case for national virtual capability to support producers through the early stages of fuel testing.
At KTN we understand the importance and challenges around early technology readiness level (TRL) development of SAF as well as commercial scale-up and deployment. We work closely with industry experts and government to identify priority areas for R&D supporting acceleration of feedstock production pathways; infrastructure; blending; storage and logistics; and technical specification and certification.
Cleared for Offtake
KTN produced a detailed report considering the areas any business looking to become involved in the supply of SAF should consider. You can access the report here.
R&D priorities
KTN has produced a report looking at the R&D priorities needed to support a UK SAF industry which can be accessed here.
Current Sustainable Aviation Fuel funding opportunities
Scottish Government Emerging Energy Technologies Fund - Hydrogen Innovation Scheme
Opens: 27/06/2022 Closes: 13/08/2022
The Hydrogen Innovation Scheme is a £10 million capital funding stream, designed to support the development and demonstration of renewable hydrogen technologies and products needed to support the Scottish Government’s ambition of 5GW installed hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
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UK-Israel Eureka Bilateral: Collaborative R&D
Opens: 20/06/2022 Closes: 19/09/2022
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is investing up to £2 million to fund collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects focused on industrial research with Israel.
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Innovate UK Smart Grants: July 2022
Opens: 28/07/2022 Closes: 26/10/2022
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.
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Related News
21/01/2022
New technology from Johnson Matthey provides a scalable solution for the conversion of CO2 to sustainable aviation fuels
Johnson Matthey have just launched HyCOgen, a catalysed process which converts captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen into synthesis gas (syngas).
Read more
22/06/2022
Join Us to Help Build the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry with a First-Of-A-Kind Innovation Programme
The programme will build a network of innovators, publish analysis and reports, help you access finance and investment and empower you with expert technical knowledge through dissemination, working groups and masterclasses.
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Programmes related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Innovate UK KTN has conducted an analysis to support the growth of the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry and support the ambitions of the Jet Zero Council. This interactive analysis offers insight into the feedstock and technology pathways being utilised, the chemical products and the scale of production (TRL), to inform your supply chain development and showcase the UK’s potential in SAF.