Airbus has recently forged a partnership with clean-energy company Masdar, also known as Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. PJSC, in order to promote the development and expansion of the global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market. The collaboration between the two entities encompasses several key areas, including SAF, green hydrogen, and direct air capture technology for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. By combining captured CO2 with hydrogen, the companies aim to produce synthetic SAF.
According to Airbus and Masdar, SAF derived from green hydrogen and direct air capture has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95 percent compared to conventional jet fuel. Additionally, market research firm Precedence Research has projected that the global SAF market will exceed $14 billion by 2032.
See also: Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market Set to Surpass $82 Billion Annually by 2035, says Report
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating that it strengthens Masdar's commitment to accelerating global carbon emissions reduction and spearheading worldwide initiatives for decarbonization. Al Ramahi looks forward to closely collaborating with Airbus to facilitate the development of the global sustainable aviation fuel market and exploring innovative low-carbon solutions to support the achievement of net-zero emissions.
Numerous commercial aviation operators have championed SAF as a readily accessible means of mitigating the industry's carbon footprint. Some companies have already commenced using SAF blends in their aircraft, considering the fuel to be a crucial component of their net-zero emissions strategies.
Mikail Houari, President of Airbus Africa and Middle East, emphasized the significance of sustainable aviation fuel in reducing the sector's carbon footprint. He stated that the agreement with Masdar will contribute to advancing the much-needed development and growth of SAF, while aligning with Airbus's commitment to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future. Houari reaffirmed Airbus's dedication to driving innovation and supporting the goals set by IATA, ATAG, and ICAO to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Earlier this year, Masdar also announced an initiative centered around the utilization of green hydrogen for producing SAF. The company has been collaborating with licensors to certify the fuel's production from methanol.
