Boeing has announced a partnership with Norsk e-Fuel, a leading developer of power-to-liquid (PtL) technology, to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Europe and globally. This collaboration aims to support the aviation industry's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Norsk e-Fuel will utilize renewable energy sources to produce green hydrogen, which is then combined with recycled CO2 from biogenic sources to create e-SAF. This innovative process has the potential to significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional jet fuel, offering a more sustainable solution for air travel.

"Our goal is to make e-fuels competitive with and eventually replace fossil fuels in critical infrastructures," said Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO of Norsk e-Fuel. "SAF needs to become readily accessible and affordable to advance aviation's decarbonization."

This partnership is crucial as SAF currently accounts for only 0.53% of global commercial fuel use. The European Union, through the RefuelEU SAF initiative, has set ambitious targets to increase the SAF share to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. Furthermore, there are specific sub-mandates for e-SAF, with targets of 1.2% in 2030 and 35% by 2050.

By collaborating with Norsk e-Fuel, Boeing aims to contribute significantly to meeting these ambitious targets. The partnership will not only enhance SAF production but also play a vital role in shaping policies that ensure the economic viability of the global SAF industry and maintain the long-term competitiveness of the Nordic aviation sector.

"Our support of and collaboration with Norsk e-Fuel underscores the importance of using fossil-free energy to accelerate SAF production, which is key to reducing aviation's carbon emissions towards 2050," said Steve Gillard, Boeing Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia regional sustainability director.

This collaboration brings together Boeing's expertise in the aviation and fuel industries with Norsk e-Fuel's cutting-edge technology and a strong network of partners, including Norwegian Air. This combined strength will be crucial in driving the successful development and commercialization of e-SAF.

This partnership follows a similar announcement earlier this week, where OMV and Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the decarbonization of aviation through the use of SAF. These collaborations highlight the growing momentum within the aviation industry to embrace sustainable solutions and contribute to a more environmentally friendly future for air travel.

Norsk e-Fuel, founded in 2019, aims to decarbonize aviation by producing sustainable fuels. They are developing large-scale production sites for synthetic fuels made from CO2 and water. Backed by investors and partners, Norsk e-Fuel is committed to scaling Power-to-Liquid technology and creating a new industry for renewable aviation fuels.