French independent renewable power producer, Qair, and aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore options for establishing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in southern France. The collaboration is part of their shared commitment to advancing sustainability in the aerospace industry.
The envisioned production facility is slated for construction in the Occitanie region, with the Occitanie Regional Energy and Climate Agency (AREC Occitanie) expressing interest in the project. Ongoing discussions are taking place to explore potential participation from AREC Occitanie.
Under the MoU, Qair and Airbus will collaborate on identifying commercial opportunities and sharing techno-economic data to facilitate the development of the SAF plant. Initially, their focus will be on establishing a regional SAF ecosystem in Occitanie, with potential expansion to other locations in France. The collaboration aims to address various aspects of the hydrogen and SAF supply chain, spanning from production to airport delivery.
Olivier Astruc, France Director of Hydrogen at Qair, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to begin these discussions with Airbus, with whom we share a common ambition to decarbonize the aerospace industry.”
Currently, Qair is actively involved in constructing its first green hydrogen plant at Port-La-Nouvelle in Occitaine, as part of the Hyd'Occ partnership with AREC Occitanie.
