TotalEnergies and Airbus have signed an agreement that will see them form a partnership to explore how sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can help meet the challenge of decarbonising the aviation sector.
When compared to traditional aviation fuel, TotalEnergies says its SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90%, so it can play a potential role in cutting the emissions of current and future aircraft.
The two companies already have a history of collaboration, with TotalEnergies having supplied Airbus in Toulouse with the SAF that it uses for aircraft delivery. It has also supplied the SAF for some landmark flights with Airbus aircraft.
TotalEnergies’ CEO and Chairman, Patrick Pouyanné, said that the company’s transition strategy has at its heart the development of sustainable aviation fuels and that it was pleased to be establishing this:
“…strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonisation together. TotalEnergies has been working hard to respond to the sector’s new demand for a reduced carbon footprint. Our Company has set itself a target of 1.5 million tons of annual SAF production by 2030.”
As part of the partnership, Airbus will source more than half its SAF needs from TotalEnergies, which also makes the Total coolant and metalworking range.
The companies will work on developing fuels that are 100% sustainable and suitable for current and future aircraft. They will also research how SAF affects both CO2 emissions and other effects like contrails, which also have a warming effect.
