Airbus partners with DG Fuels to foster sustainable aviation fuel production in the United States

Toulouse, France / Washington, D.C.- 12 September 2023 - Airbus has become a strategic partner with DG Fuels, LLC (“DGF”), an emerging leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

"Sustainable aviation fuels play a crucial role in enabling aviation's decarbonisation roadmap. We are committed to supporting all efforts that contribute to making them available at scale around the globe," said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. "The partnership with DG Fuels supports the emergence of a new technological pathway allowing for the production of SAFs from a broader range of waste and residue sources, first in the U.S with a potential for large-scale production worldwide."

DGF’s fuel production system is based entirely on cellulosic waste products, such as wood waste from the logging industry, and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

DGF’s plant aims to have an initial production capacity of 120 million US gallons (454 million litres) of SAF per year on average, which could save approximately 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually from 2026.

"The DGF team is excited to have finalised this SAF partnership with Airbus," commented Michael Darcy, Chairman and CEO at DG Fuels, "and we look forward to working together to accelerate the initial SAF facility in Louisiana and the subsequent scale up at various locations in the United States and beyond.”

The partnership with Airbus supports DG Fuels’ goal of launching the equity process and reaching a final investment decision (FID) on building DG Fuels’ first SAF plant in the United States. The decision would be expected by early 2024. In this context, Airbus and DGF have agreed for a portion of the production of the first plant to benefit Airbus’ customers.

This project is in line with the U.S. government-sponsored SAF Grand Challenge, which aims to reduce costs, improve sustainability and expand domestic SAF production. This national programme aims to produce 3 billion US gallons (11.3 billion litres) of domestic sustainable aviation fuel per year, achieving at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional fuel by 2030 and 100% of projected aviation fuel consumption – or 35 billion US gallons of annual production - by 2050.

About DG Fuels

DG Fuels is building a low-CO2 life cycle emissions synthetic fuel system based on high carbon conversion technology that is targeting a 97% efficiency. The DG Fuels’ technology does not require the development of new engines or types of distribution infrastructure. DG Fuels’ innovative technology produces hydrogen via water electrolysis and biomass derived carbon replacement fuel for aircraft, and potentially for locomotives, vessels and trucks as well. DG Fuels delivers a significant value proposition to end-customers, including meaningful environmental benefits and the ability to materially address sustainability goals.  DG Fuel’s carbon efficient solution will tie together all critical elements to power, fuel, and provide SAF to its customers.

More details on https://dgfuels.com/ 

About Airbus action plan on sustainable aviation fuels

SAF has been identified as one of the key elements in helping achieve emissions reduction goals. Since 2008, Airbus has acted as an important catalyst in the certification process, demonstration flights, partnerships and policy advocacy of sustainable aviation fuel. In 2016, Airbus became the first aircraft manufacturer to offer customers SAF at delivery flights. Today, aircraft and helicopters leave Airbus delivery centres with SAF onboard from Toulouse and Marignane in France, Hamburg and Donauworth in Germany, Mobile in the USA, and most recently Tianjin, China. Airbus operations and logistics are also carried out with SAF including our fleet of Belugas from 2019. Airbus’ commercial aircraft, helicopters and military aircraft are capable of flying with an up to 50% blend of SAF mixed with kerosene and will be capable of operating with 100% SAF by 2030. This capability will play an important role in the sector’s decarbonisation journey.

More detailed information is available on our website.

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