Repsol to supply SAF to Atlas Air and Inditex

Atlas Air, based in New York, US, is the first cargo airline to use SAF regularly on its cargo flights in Spain, marking a new milestone in the airline sector. The initiative is in line with the commitment of the three companies to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve the goal of being net zero emissions companies. It puts them ahead of the anticipated compliance measures included in the ReFuelEU Aviation regulations that require use of 2% renewable fuels in 2025, 6% in 2030, and 70% in 2050.

“With this agreement, we take another step in the decarbonisation of aviation. We show that SAF is the future, but also the present. With the upcoming launch of our new advanced biofuels plant in Cartagena, Spain, we are ready to supply the sector with the SAF it needs to realise its decarbonisation ambitions,” said Óliver Fernández, Director of International Aviation at Repsol.

“We are committed to contributing to the sustainability of the aviation sector and appreciate this opportunity to work with our valued partners at Inditex and Repsol,” said Michael Steen, CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide. “It is critical for our sector to work together in driving wider adoption and availability of SAF, which ultimately will have a positive impact on our

The agreement also aims to enhance local SAF production, both in terms of refinery capacity and in the sourcing of nearby raw materials, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector. Aena, responsible for the management of the Zaragoza Airport, participates proactively in the promotion and integration of SAFs to promote their production and encourage their consumption.

In the coming months, Repsol will start up its first plant dedicated exclusively to the production of advanced biofuels in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the first plants of its kind in Europe at its industrial complex in Cartagena. Marking the next major milestone for the multi-energy company, Repsol has invested more than €200 million in the construction of the plant. It will have a production capacity of 250 000 tpy of SAF and renewable diesel, produced from various types of residue, mainly used cooking oil and waste from the agri-food industry, and will reduce 900 000 tpy of CO₂.

In 2022, total SAF production worldwide was 240 000 tons, according to the IATA. In 2025, approximately 120 000 tons will be needed in Spain to cover the 2% obligation of RefuelEU Aviation. Production of the new plant will be able to cover all the SAF demand in the Iberian Peninsula, complying with the obligation until the European mandate rises to 3%.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/07122023/repsol-to-supply-saf-to-atlas-air-and-inditex/