Houston-based HIF Global has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus (EPA: AIR) to advance the development of e-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF) using methanol-to-jet fuel synthesis.
This collaboration is aimed at reducing net carbon emissions in the aviation sector by leveraging renewable electricity, water, and recycled carbon dioxide (CO2).
The MoU outlines a framework for negotiations in four key areas: technical development, project development, commercial strategies, and advocacy efforts, HIF Global said in a statement last week.
The agreement was signed at the Farnborough Air Show in England, a premier event in the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.
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Clara Bowman, Chief Operating Officer of HIF Global, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, noting that the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts aviation activity will double from 2022 levels by 2030.
She explained that this creates a global imperative to rapidly supply and scale up SAFs, as aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize.
Bowman believes that the collaboration between HIF and Airbus will significantly speed up the adoption of e-SAF in the airline industry and support its transition to net-zero emissions.
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e-SAF is produced by combining recycled CO2 with green hydrogen generated from renewable electricity. This drop-in fuel can be used in existing aircraft engines without modification.
HIF Global is focusing on the methanol-to-jet fuel synthesis, known as the MTJ pathway, at its e-SAF production plants.
In May 2023, the Houston-based company announced partnerships with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell UOP to begin preliminary engineering for its first SAF facility in the United States.
This facility represents a significant step towards creating a sustainable aviation industry by integrating advanced technologies and renewable resources.
