China’s groundbreaking $3 billion green hydrogen-to-aviation fuel plant & more

China’s groundbreaking $3 billion green hydrogen-to-aviation fuel plant & more

Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.


Industry Updates

The aerospace sector is undergoing transformation through electrification and hydrogen-electric powertrains, with patent filings having surged for technologies aimed at creating environmentally friendly aircraft.

Cirium has forecast delivery of 45,900 aircraft worldwide over twenty years, valued at £3.3 trillion, with Airbus and Boeing dominating despite supply chain disruptions.

European airlines are considering implementing graduated environmental surcharges, targeting frequent flyers with increasing levies per flight to reduce emissions and raise substantial revenue.


CLIMATE WATCH: U.N. Report on Climate Goals Says Countries Have Made No Progress - The New York Times 

A UN report has revealed record greenhouse gas emissions, indicating insufficient progress in climate action despite global pledges to transition away from fossil fuels.


Infrastructure and operational efficiencies

Alaska Airlines has partnered with r.World | Reuse to trial reusable cups on the Seattle-Minneapolis route, aiming to reduce single-use waste through a collection and sanitisation system.

🎧 Alaska Airlines’ multi-faceted approach to achieving net zero by 2040

Image via Alaska Airlines

Hamad International Airport's Central Concourse has achieved LEED Gold certification for environmental design, demonstrating 30% energy and 55% water reduction.

Kaelis has created sustainable economy-class amenity kits for Air Astana , featuring eco-friendly materials and a zero-waste approach whilst maintaining practical travel essentials.


Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Neste has reported declining renewables performance due to market overcapacity and lower SAF demand, despite maintaining competitive advantages in feedstock and pretreatment.

China has started construction of a SAF facility in Shuangyashan, designed to fuse wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies with biomass to produce SAF.

DHL has expanded SAF usage through a contract with IAG Cargo , committing to sixty million litres and reducing emissions by 165,000 tonnes.

Avfuel has expanded SAF distribution to the southeastern United States through Valero partnership, initially focusing on Florida market delivery.

Wizz Air has collaborated with Airbus for SAF trials, positioning itself for upcoming EU regulations whilst testing routes between Barcelona, Brussels Charleroi, and Budapest.

🎧 The airline with the lowest CO2 emissions in Europe

Detroit Metropolitan Airport has received its inaugural SAF delivery from Montana Renewables, LLC , North America's largest SAF producer, partnering with Delta Air Lines for implementation.

The Philippine Coconut Authority has partnered with Japan's Manryu to develop SAF using local coconut oil, aiming to establish the country in global biofuel production.

Universal Fuel Technologies has secured £3 million funding for its Flexiforming technology, promising to reduce SAF production costs whilst enabling 100% synthetic fuel creation.


New technology: Electric and Hydrogen

The FAA has finalised regulations for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, establishing guidelines for pilot training and operations in the first new aircraft category since helicopters.

🎧 Joby wants to alleviate the pain and frustration of getting from home to your airline seat

Airbus, Kansai Airports , and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. have collaborated to study hydrogen infrastructure feasibility at three Japanese airports, focusing on supply roadmap development.

HyFlux has partnered with Robinson Research Institute to develop lightweight aviation motors using cryogenic hydrogen, aiming to advance zero-emission transport through superconducting technologies.

Supernal and Clay Lacy Aviation have formed a partnership to prepare fixed-base operator locations for eVTOL operations, focusing initially on Southern California facilities.

Bengaluru's airport has partnered with Sarla Aviation to launch electric flying taxis, promising nineteen-minute journeys from the airport to Electronics City for ₹1,700.

AURA-AERO has selected Daytona Beach for its hybrid-electric airliner factory, planning to produce hundred aircraft annually and create thousand jobs whilst targeting certification by 2028.


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