HIF Global and Airbus Partner to Develop E-SAF via Methanol to Jet Fuel
- 29-Jul-2024 2:20 PM
- Journalist: Rene Swann
On July 23, 2024, HIF Global announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to advance the global development of e-Fuels for aviation, specifically e-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF), through the methanol to jet fuel (MTJ) pathway. The MoU outlines a framework for negotiating final agreements in four crucial areas: technical, project development, commercial, and advocacy.
The partnership was formalized at the Farnborough Air Show in England, one of the world's most prestigious events for the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.
Clara Bowman, Chief Operating Officer of HIF Global, stated, “The International Energy Agency anticipates that aviation activity will double from 2022 levels by 2030. This puts us in a global race to supply and scale up sustainable fuels for aviation, which is the most challenging transportation sector to decarbonize. The collaboration between HIF and Airbus will help expedite the airline sector’s adoption of e-SAF and support the industry’s transition to net zero.”
e-SAF is a Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced by blending recycled CO2 with green hydrogen generated from renewable electricity. This drop-in fuel is compatible with existing airplanes and doesn’t require any engine modifications. HIF Global is working on e-SAF production facilities using the methanol to jet fuel synthesis method, known as the MtJ pathway.
In May 2023, HIF Global revealed agreements with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell UOP to carry out preliminary engineering for its first Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility in the United States.
HIF Global, the world's leading e-Fuels company, is pioneering projects globally to transform renewable energy into near carbon-neutral e-Fuels compatible with existing engines. The name HIF embodies the company's mission to provide Highly Innovative Fuels to enable planetary decarbonization. Currently, HIF is producing e-Fuels at its HIF Haru Oni facility in southern Chile and is in the process of developing commercial-scale e-Fuels facilities in Texas, Uruguay, Australia, and Chile. HIF Global uses renewable energy to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis and captures CO2 from the atmosphere or from industrial or biogenic sources. They then combine the green hydrogen with CO2 through a synthesis process, creating a fossil fuel substitute that is compatible with existing infrastructure.
Airbus has consistently led the way in technological innovation, with a pioneering approach that has transformed the aerospace industry. Their products connect people, fostering unity and advancement. The company is dedicated to constantly pushing the limits of what is possible to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.