Masdar, ADNOC, bp, Tadweer, Etihad to explore SAF production in UAE

Masdar, ADNOC, bp, Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) and Etihad Airways are set to carry out a joint feasibility study exploring the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other products, such as renewable diesel and naphtha, using municipal solid waste (MSW) and renewable hydrogen.

The announcement was made at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which concluded on January 19.

The feasibility study will evaluate the technical and commercial viability of such a project.

If the study’s conclusions are positive, the partners will target working toward developing the region’s first commercial-scale production capacity in Abu Dhabi.

Benefits of SAF

Produced from sustainable feedstocks, such as municipal solid waste and renewable hydrogen, SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions on average by up to 80 percent during its full lifecycle, compared to conventional jet fuel, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This collaboration is designed to strengthen the UAE’s leadership position in low-carbon energy and technology-driven industrial growth.

Aviation is a key industry in the UAE, supporting over 13 per cent of the national gross domestic product according to IATA economic data, and is set to continue to grow in the next decades. SAF is currently the most viable proposition to help decarbonise the industry and has the potential to supply international markets.

In October last year, Etihad Airways’ first flight using SAF took off from Tokyo Narita airport. The flight was the result of a partnership in which ITOCHU Corporation provided Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel to Etihad, making the carrier the first international airline to procure SAF in Japan.

The flight reduced CO2 by approximately 75.2 tCO2, based on the estimated fuel volume (20,000 USG) at a blend of 39.66 per cent SAF, a statement said. It also managed non-CO2 environmental impacts through optimised flight planning for contrail prevention.

Read: First Etihad Airways flight using SAF departs Tokyo

In recent news, Etihad Airways is accelerating its progress towards climate-neutral operations. It has signed a key contract with Satavia, a UK-based green aerospace firm, to expand the scope for contrail management within its daily flight operations.

The contract was signed at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.

Read: UAE’s Etihad, UK-based Satavia sign contrail management contract