How Boeing is Supporting the Transition to SAF

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of the only solutions currently available for lower carbon aviation.

The Air Transport Action Group estimates that SAF accounted for only 0.53% of the global commercial fuel use in 2024 – a lot of growth is still needed to support near-term net zero targets. 

Boeing has become a key project development partner of Norsk e-Fuel, aiming to support one of Europe’s first industrial scale Power-to-Liquid (PtL) facilities. 

This investment hopes to accelerate the production and availability of SAF both in the Nordics and globally. 

“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,” says Steve Gillard, Boeing’s Regional Sustainability Director for Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia. 

“Our partnership to advance e-fuels will help mobilise the commercialisation of SAF in the Nordics and across the world, increasing accessibility and availability for our customers as we help build a robust SAF ecosystem.”

About Norsk e-Fuel

Founded in 2019, Norsk e-Fuel aims to drive the transition to renewable aviation by establishing industrial production of SAF based on CO₂ and water. 

Its founding partners are Climeworks, Sunfire, Paul Wurth of SMS Group and Valinor. 

The company has received support from organisations including Luxembourg Airport operator Lux-Airport, Norwegian, Prime Capital AG and now Boeing. 

“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,” says Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO at 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.”

Boeing’s support for SAF

This strategic partnership with Norsk e-Fuel combines Boeing’s SAF industry leadership and fuels expertise with Norsk e-Fuel’s technology know-how and strong network of partners, including Norway’s largest air carrier, Norwegian.

“We are pleased to welcome Boeing on board,” says Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

“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.” 

This investment is not Boeing’s first venture into SAF, it has a history of supporting innovation to decarbonise the aviation industry. 

In April 2024, it purchased 9.4 million gallons of SAF for commercial operations in the US produced by Neste and World Energy.

"As our focus remains on safety and quality, sustainability continues to be a priority," said Ryan Faucett, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability at Boeing. 

"Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to decarbonize aviation. About 20% of our fuel usage is a SAF blend, and we continue to increase our use of this fuel to encourage growth in the SAF industry. 

“We are also working to make SAF more available and affordable to our commercial airline customers through collaboration, investment, research and policy development."

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