Boeing has joined Norsk e-Fuel as a significant project development partner, aiding in the establishment of one of Europe's initial industrial-scale Power-to-Liquids (PtL) facilities. Boeing's investment aims to speed up the production and accessibility of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Nordic region and worldwide. This initiative also seeks to support the shared objective of the commercial aviation industry and ICAO member states to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Norsk e-Fuel plans to manufacture a type of jet fuel called electro-SAF, or e-SAF, through the PtL process. This method utilizes fossil-free energy to produce green hydrogen, which is then combined with recycled CO₂ from biogenic sources. This fuel has the potential to cut the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of air travel by more than 90% compared to traditional jet fuel.
“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’s regional sustainability director for Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia. “Our partnership to advance e-fuels will help mobilize the commercialization of SAF in the Nordics and across the world, increasing accessibility and availability for our customers as we help build a robust SAF ecosystem.”
In 2024, SAF was estimated to make up just 0.53% of the worldwide commercial fuel consumption. In Europe, the RefuelEU SAF initiative has proposed a mandate to steadily boost the proportion of SAF, aiming for 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. Additionally, there are specific targets for e-SAF, like the type produced by Norsk e-Fuel, with goals of 1.2% by 2030, rising to 35% by 2050.
Boeing's investment will help meet the SAF volumes required by the EU commitments and enhance national energy security throughout the Nordics. Additionally, the partnership will guide policies that ensure the economic sustainability of the global SAF industry, while bolstering the long-term competitiveness of the region's aviation sector.
“Our goal is to make e-fuels competitive with and eventually replace fossil fuels in critical infrastructures as SAF needs to become readily accessible and affordable for advancing aviation’s decarbonization,” said Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO of Norsk e-Fuel. “Boeing’s investment will further accelerate our project pipeline and will facilitate the broader aviation industry’s transition to net-zero emissions.”
The strategic alliance merges Boeing's leadership in the SAF industry and expertise in fuels with Norsk e-Fuel's technological knowledge and extensive network of partners, which includes Norway's largest airline, Norwegian.
“We are pleased to welcome Boeing on board. Their investment marks a significant milestone for Norsk e-Fuel and confirms the positive development we have had. We look forward to leveraging Boeing’s expertise and experience in the development and growth of this pioneering industry. This investment also reinforces the need for a supportive policy environment to fully realise the potential of e-fuels production in Norway, in line with the Norwegian parliament’s call,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
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