The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is supporting the increased production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) by establishing the first SAF Clearing House in the EU. This is now open for business.
Since SAF is one of the key levers to achieving net zero emissions increased production of SAF is vital.
SUPPORTING SAF PRODUCTION
The European Union (EU) Aviation Safety Agency supports the ramping up of sustainable aviation fuels through the opening of Europe’s first SAF Clearing House. This is because regulations will soon come into place for airlines operating flights in Europe.
The SAF Clearing House is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for sustainable aviation fuel producers to access certification advice and analysis.
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EU FUNDED INITIATIVE
The facility is intended to facilitate EU and international deployment of SAF as well as approve new production pathways. The initiative is funded by the European Union and managed by EASA.
Following a call to tender, the pan-European-based sustainable transport team at engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo was awarded the contract to launch the EU SAF Clearing House.
COLLABORATION
Ricardo will establish a network of testing facilities and guide fuel producers in assessing the environmental impacts of their products and in meeting strict eligibility criteria. It will work alongside a consortium of international members.
The first SAF sample is currently undergoing testing against the recognised industry standard practice.
Aerospaceglobalnews reports that a similar initiative in the UK officially launched in April 2024.
EXPANDING ITS MEMBERSHIP
Trinity College Dublin, Intertek, Politecnico di Torino, ENVISA, and Spark Legal and Policy Consulting are also involved in the EU SAF Clearing House.
Furthermore, the project is also seeking additional organisations to join its expanding network.
WORKING TO ACHIEVE SAF TARGETS
The facilitation of SAF production is now vital since targets set by the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation were adopted last year.
Hence the need to ramp up production of SAF to meet these mandates.
This therefore mandates a target of 2% SAF production by 2025. This figure will rise to 6% by 2030.
Maria Rueda, EASA’s strategy and safety management director said, “Via the EU SAF Clearing House, EASA wants to ensure that the fuel industry gets the support needed to succeed in SAF for aviation so that their innovation efforts are not in vain and more SAF is brought to the market.”
