Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers a unique opportunity for the UK to boost energy security and build a new domestic industry, according to the boss of a prominent start-up.
Stewart Stewart, CEO of Nova Pangaea, says that agricultural and forestry waste alone could produce enough fuel for over half of our aviation needs, with other sources making up much of the shortfall. SAF would also provide additional income for farmers, create new jobs in industrial areas and drive export revenue from licensing intellectual property.
However, he warns that the fledgling industry is at a critical point in its development. While new technologies offer potential to unlock new feedstocks, the companies behind them now need to attract investment and scale up production to secure the future of the industry.
Stewart says: “In the light of the Iran war, energy security is now a top priority. We need to reduce our dependence on imported oil. Over half of the UK’s electricity already comes from renewables, however transportation – and in particular aviation – still depends on liquid fuels.
“North Sea oil production will not be enough to satisfy demand, nor will it supply us with aviation fuel or shield us from oil price shocks. Producing SAF from waste materials is a key part of the solution – and the fact it is sustainable is a bonus.”
Under UK and EU rules, SAF must make up an increasing proportion of aviation fuel – rising from 2% in 2025 to as much as 70% in 2050.
Currently almost all SAF comes from used cooking oil, with roughly 80% of the feedstock imported from China and South-East Asia. Waste oils alone will not be enough to meet future demand. However, new technologies enable SAF to be produced from other feedstocks which are more widely available.
Nova Pangaea’s process uses waste biomass such as wheat straw or wood chips to produce SAF. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2030 around 167 million tonnes of waste biomass will be available for aviation fuel production in Europe including the UK – enough to produce around 30 million tonnes of SAF, equivalent to over half of aviation fuel demand.
Nova Pangaea, which has a demonstration plant at Wilton, Teesside and is partnered with British Airways’ parent IAG, is now looking to set up production plants. Meanwhile other companies are pioneering different technologies that use waste materials or captured CO2 and green hydrogen.
Stewart adds: “SAF could help end our dependence on imported jet fuel, but we need to beware falling into the same trap and relying solely on imports. There is a golden opportunity for the UK to become leaders in SAF technology and build our own domestic industry.
“We have the technologies, but we now need to secure investment for new plants and put them into production. As we scale up production, we will bring down costs. The next few years will be pivotal for this nascent industry and the support of policymakers and investors will be critical. But if we succeed, we will create a more resilient and affordable energy supply system, a new domestic industry that generates jobs and prosperity, and intellectual property to drive the knowledge economy and export revenue from licensing.”
Learn more https://www.novapangaea.com/
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