We supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel

We understand our customers need SAF as part of the aviation industry’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

As a result, we are at the forefront of creating partnerships to make sure this is possible and are working every day to secure the best possible supply to where our customers need it. We supplied the first ever SAF delivery to London Gatwick.

Q8Aviation’s commitment to SAF ensures that the lifecycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction (versus conventional jet fuel) of the SAF that we source is independently verified by a competent 3^rd party in accordance with a recognised standard (such as RSB or ISCC). Typically, a lifecycle GHG emissions reduction of up to 80% when compared to jet fuel can be achieved using the SAF that we source. Moreover, we are proud of the level of resources that we commit to assuring that fuel delivered to our customers meets the primary fuel specifications (DEF STAN 91-091).

SAF Availability

The first commercial flight to use SAF was in 2008 and since then there have been over 400,000 flights using a blend of SBC and jet fuel. Current volumes of SAF being produced are low (less than 1%) and it is acknowledged that policy support from governments will be necessary to ramp up production. This is particularly important as aviation is seen as a ‘hard-to-abate’ sector and does not have any near-term alternatives to liquid fuels, unlike the road transport sector which can use electrification.

Q8Aviation supports the proposed UK and European (RefuelEU) SAF mandates, expected to be implemented from 2025 onwards, and is a participating member of the Jet Zero Council (JZC) SAF Delivery Group, the UK’s public-private partnership for accelerating delivery of SAF to the UK market. Government mandates, and funding and incentive schemes, if properly designed and implemented, should provide the supply and demand side stimulus to promote further usage of SAF which will contribute to the reduction of aviation CO2e emissions and to the achievement of the airline industry’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.

Technical Certification

‘‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a homogenous blend of conventional jet fuel and Synthetic Blending Component (SBC) that meets a recognised international specification (DEF STAN 91-091 or ASTM D1655). The ratio of SBC to conventional jet fuel in the blend cannot currently exceed 50% as it is not certified for use in commercial aircraft above this blend ratio. The maximum blend ratio can differ depending on the type of SBC used or the qualification process used to approve the SBC. For an SBC to be approved for use, it must be subject to a technical evaluation through the ASTM D4054 qualification process. If the SBC is proven and accepted to be equivalent to Jet Fuel (neat and as a blend), a new annex is added to the ASTM D7566 Drop-in Specification providing requirements for that type of SBC. A technical pathway which is listed in the annexes of ASTM D7566 can be blended with conventional jet fuel to produce a ‘drop-in’ SAF. Being a drop-in fuel means that the SAF can be used in commercial aircraft without changes to existing storage, logistics and fuel systems.’’

Q8Aviation Technical Team