Aerospace giant Airbus and energy company TotalEnergies announced today the launch of a new strategic partnership, aimed at advancing the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and supporting the decarbonization of aviation with the objective of achieving net carbon neutrality for the sector by 2050.

Fuel accounts for the vast majority of the aviation sector’s emissions. Generally produced from sustainable resources, like waste oils and agricultural residues, SAF is seen as one of the key tools to help decarbonize the aviation industry, with lifecycle GHG emissions substantially lower than conventional fuels. Efforts to meaningfully increase the use of SAF by airlines face significant challenges, however, including the low supply currently available on the market, and prices well above those of conventional fossil-based fuels.

Under the new partnership, TotalEnergies will supply Airbus with SAF for more than half of its needs in Europe, and the companies will also collaborate on a research and development programme aimed at developing 100% sustainable fuels tailored to the design of current and future aircraft, and studying the impact of the composition of SAF on emissions reduction a well as non-CO2 effects, such as contrails.

Airbus has set a series of SAF-related targets, including goals to reach 15% SAF in its global fuel mix by 2024, and at least 30% by 2030. The company used 11 million liters of SAF in 2023, surpassing its target of 10% SAF use for the year. Airbus aircraft are currently able to fly on up to 50% SAF blends, while the company anticipates its aircraft will be capable of flying with up to 100% SAF.

Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, said:

“Accelerating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions from aviation by 2030. This partnership between Airbus and TotalEnergies demonstrates the willingness of aerospace manufacturers and major energy producers and suppliers to work together to meet this challenge. We are determined to meet our decarbonization targets and ensure that aviation can continue to play its valuable role for society in the future.”

The new partnership follows an announcement by TotalEnergies last year of new targets to scale production of sustainable aviation fuel, including an expectation to reach capacity of 500,000 tons per year by 2028, and a goal to produce 1.5 million tons per year by 2030. TotalEnergies said that the SAF it provides can reduce up to 90% CO2 emissions over the lifecycle compared to fossil fuel equivalents.

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, said:

“The development of sustainable aviation fuels is at the heart of our Company’s transition strategy. We are happy to form a strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonization together. TotalEnergies has been working hard to respond to the sector’s new demand for a reduced carbon footprint.”