In our latest episode we chat with Kathy Wight, Vice President for Net Zero Solutions at World Energy, and how they are leading the charge in decarbonizing business travel and freight.

Kathy takes us from her roots in the NGO sphere to her pivotal role in driving practical sustainability solutions, sharing insights from her experience with the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the innovative strides in sustainable fuels like SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and renewable diesel. We find out why she transitioned to the business side to actively work on developing practical solutions to decarbonise aviation.

We venture into the complex landscape of Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates, dissecting the intricacies of environmental attribute certificates, and the book and claim system. Kathy helps clarify these often-confusing terms, shedding light on how these mechanisms play a vital role in reducing emissions across industry value chains. We discuss the importance of transparency and the potential for a universal taxonomy to simplify the process for newcomers, ensuring accurate carbon intensity scores and fostering broader engagement in the SAF arena.

Additionally, Kathy explains how long-term contracts with corporations act as “market makers” for SAF, signalling durable demand and unlocking capital to scale up production facilities.

For industry newcomers and veterans alike, Kathy’s insights offer a deep understanding of how SAF certificates and partnerships are accelerating sustainable change in aviation. She emphasizes the importance of taking action now, rather than waiting for the perfect system to emerge.

Check out our last episode with C.R Sincock, Avfuel, where we look at the development of the SAF supply chain: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16057604

Join us this week on The SAF Podcast, as we dive deep into the logistics and distribution challenges of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with CR Sincock from Avfuel, one of the largest global aviation fuel suppliers. As a leading distributor of SAF in business aviation, Avfuel offers unique insights into scaling SAF delivery across the United States.

In this episode, Sincock discusses Avfuel's strategic partnership with Neste, the world's largest SAF producer, and reveals their exciting new role as a launch customer for Valero Diamond Green in Florida. This expansion marks a significant step in addressing the East Coast's underserved SAF market. He discusses how this collaboration addresses logistical challenges in transporting SAF beyond coastal regions, opening pathways to major hubs and underserved markets.

CR provides insights into the challenges of moving physical SAF molecules and the current locations where Avfuel offers SAF. He also touches on the unique case of Truckee Tahoe airport, which operates on 100% SAF, highlighting the importance of local environmental consciousness in driving SAF adoption.

The conversation covers crucial topics, such as the company's advanced book-and-claim system, designed to streamline SAF adoption by enabling customers to claim carbon reductions without physical fuel movement. They also discuss Avfuel Zero, a comprehensive sustainability consultancy helping aviation clients navigate offsets, emissions assessments, and compliance without requiring an in-house sustainability team.

We explore the vital role of corporate responsibility in driving the adoption of SAF, especially among business and general aviation stakeholders. Discover how larg operators serving corporate clients are leading the charge, motivated by public scrutiny and the need to demonstrate proactive environmental stewardship.

For industry professionals interested in SAF distribution, supply chain optimization, and the complexities of SAF blending to meet ASTM specifications, this episode offers essential insights into the current state and future development of SAF infrastructure in North America and beyond.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our other discussion with Mac Irvine from Jet Zero Australia, as we dive into the SAF production landscape down under: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16017375


SAF Investor London - January 2025

SAF Investor London will be back in London in January 2025 and will bring leading producers, investors, customers and policy makers together to discuss the major issues around scaling SAF production globally.

We would love to see as many of you there as possible and you can find out more information, including book your tickets here: https://www.safinvestor.com/event/145508/saf-investor-london-2025/

In this episode of The SAF Podcast, we dive deep into Australia's emerging sustainable aviation fuel landscape with Mac Irvine, CFO of Jet Zero Australia. With 15 years of banking and finance expertise, including his role at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Irvine offers unique insights into Australia's SAF development landscape.

The discussion explores Jet Zero Australia's two flagship projects: Project Ulysses, an alcohol-to-jet facility in Townsville utilizing LanzaJet technology, and Project Mandala, a HEFA pathway development in partnership with Apeiron Bioenergy.

Our conversation moves into the strategic alliances that fuel Jet Zero's mission, including a key partnership with Idemitsu and the pursuit of innovative financial avenues such as SAF certificates for carbon abatement. With $14 million in grant funding already secured, Mac explains how Jet Zero is engaging with entities like the CEFC and the National Reconstruction Fund to explore flexible capital options.

Key industry insights include Australia's position as the eighth-largest global jet fuel consumer, with 90% of current fuel being imported. The episode provides valuable insights into the nascent SAF market in Australia, including the current lack of specific SAF policies and the challenges this presents for developers. However, Mac also outlines the positive momentum, such as the federal government's Future Made in Australia program and its potential impact on the industry.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous discussion with Sophie Byron, S&P Global Commodity Insights to find out about the complexity and importance of accurate SAF pricing data: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15975107


SAF Investor London - January 2025

SAF Investor London will be back in London in January 2025 and will bring leading producers, investors, customers and policy makers together to discuss the major issues around scaling SAF production globally.

We would love to see as many of you there as possible and you can find out more information, including book your tickets here: https://www.safinvestor.com/event/145508/saf-investor-london-2025/

On this week’s episode of the SAF Podcast Sophie Byron, Global Head Biofuels Pricing, S&P Global Commodity Insights joins Oscar for a discussion around SAF pricing.

Tracking SAF prices is not as simple as traditional jet fuel. In a nascent market with complex supply chain and production pathways, getting accurate pricing data is no easy feat. Sophie explains this complexity and the challenge addressing issues across fluctuating feedstock pricing, production costs and limited transactions on the spot market and how they work around these to assess accurate prices. Another critical issue is how to approach pricing SAF from different pathways and feedstocks, Sophie explains how they are looking to approach pricing from Alcohol-to-Jet and eventually Power-to-Liquid production, in the near term as well as the current HEFA pathway.

Pricing is a critical issue to help grow SAF production as it is critical to help attract investment. Investors and lenders need certainty in revenue and, along with offtakes, certainty in SAF prices is critical to de-risk future projects.

We also discuss the correlation of emissions reduction and Carbon Intensity scores and pricing as SAF’s value can be tied to the emissions reductions. We also look at how factors such as anti dumping duties, tax incentives in the US and the introduction of mandates in 2025 could effect pricing formulations.

The discussion concludes with a reflection on transparency and how important access to data is to get the clearest pricing picture possible.

Check out this episode if you are interested in how SAF pricing works, the challenges it presents and critically why pricing is such an important component in growing the SAF Industry.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our most recent discussion with Andrew Symes, OXCCU here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15895179

In this episode of the SAF Podcast, Andrew Symes, Founder & CEO, OXCCU joins Oscar to dive into the cutting-edge world of e-fuels. A chemistry graduate turned venture capitalist who transitioned to leading a pioneering carbon capture utilization company, Symes discusses OXCCU's groundbreaking catalyst technology that simplifies the conversion of CO2 and hydrogen directly into hydrocarbons.

The conversation explores OXCCU's recent milestone: their OX1 demonstration plant, which marks a crucial step in de-risking their innovative single-step conversion process. Symes details how their technology could significantly reduce the CAPEX and OPEX of e-fuel production, potentially solving the cost barrier that currently limits power-to-liquids scaling.

Industry experts will appreciate the technical discussion on reactor specifications, catalyst performance at scale, and the strategic approach to future developments, including the planned OX2 facility. The episode also addresses critical sector challenges, including grid electricity demands, the importance of first-of-a-kind facilities in climate tech, and the role of university research in breakthrough innovations.

Symes offers valuable insights on the business model evolution from technology development to licensing, and provides a nuanced perspective on UK and EU SAF mandates. The conversation concludes with a pragmatic discussion on offtake agreements and the critical timeline challenges facing the industry as it approaches the 2030 mandate deadlines.

If you enjoyed this episode check out our previous episode with Berta Cabello and Carlos Suarez, Repsol to find out about why Spain is such an important market for SAF production: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15861484

The Iberian Peninsula's emergence as a SAF production hub isn't coincidental. The region boasts abundant feedstock availability, strong agricultural and livestock sectors, ample renewable energy resources, and a robust refining and petrochemical industry. This combination of factors, along with existing market demand, has created an ideal environment for renewable fuel production.

Berta Cabello and Carlos Suarez join us on the podcast from Repsol this week. These industry leaders provide a deep dive into Repsol's ambitious renewable fuel initiatives, including their refinery in Cartagena and the e-fuel plant planned in Bilbao. This episode offers a glimpse at why Spain and Portugal are becoming powerhouses in the SAF industry, backed by abundant resources and expert industrial capacity.

This episode delves into the vital collaboration between producers, airlines, and airports in scaling SAF adoption, while offering insights into overcoming feedstock challenges and maintaining the integrity of renewable fuel supply chains. We also unravel the strategic dynamics of the renewable fuels market, revealing how Spain positions itself uniquely by leveraging less competition and flexible production capabilities.

Berta and Carlos highlight the crucial role of institutional support and regulatory frameworks in sustaining global competitiveness. Our discussion underscores the importance of demand-driven projects to meet Repsol's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, emphasizing the necessity for investment in low-carbon and circular products.

The foundation of Repsol's strategy lies in their flexible approach to renewable fuel production. Rather than focusing solely on SAF, they're balancing production across aviation, marine, and road transport sectors. This flexibility aims to allow them to adapt to market demands while maximizing the use of byproducts from the production process.

Looking ahead, Repsol appears well-prepared for the initial 2% SAF mandate under RefuelEU. However, they acknowledge the challenges in scaling up to meet the 6% target by 2030, particularly regarding the e-SAF sub-mandate. The company emphasizes the importance of feedstock sustainability and transparency, implementing strict auditing and certification processes to ensure the integrity of their supply chain.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our most recent discussion with Dan Keibrich, Squake via the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15812552

In this episode of the SAF Podcast, Oscar dives deep into the world of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and broader decarbonization efforts with Dan Kreibich, co-founder of Squake. Dan shares his journey from Lufthansa Innovation Hub, where he pioneered SAF offerings for passengers, to founding Squake, a platform making SAF and other compensation projects accessible in booking flows.

Squake's innovative approach enables airlines, travel companies, and corporations to integrate SAF purchases seamlessly, from ancillaries to bulk orders. Dan discusses partnerships with industry giants like Lufthansa, Airbnb, and CWT, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable travel options.

The conversation explores the broader context of transportation decarbonization, comparing SAF to other sustainable fuels in marine and ground transport. Dan provides insights into the economic drivers behind sustainable fuel adoption and the impact of regulations like CSRD and EU ETS.

We also delve into Squake's diverse portfolio of decarbonization projects, including CO2 removal and reforestation, and the criteria for selecting these initiatives. Dan emphasizes the importance of coupling decarbonization efforts with financial responsibility and discusses the hierarchy of carbon reduction solutions.

The episode concludes with a frank discussion on the challenges facing SAF adoption, including regulatory hurdles and industry uncertainty, while emphasizing SAF's potential as a "silver bullet" for aviation sustainability.

If you enjoyed this discussion, check out our last episode with Roberto Gonzalez, EBRD: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15693248

In this episode of The SAF Podcast, we sit down with Roberto Gonzalez from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to explore the complexities of financing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) projects.

Roberto takes us through his personal journey from chemical engineering and oil refining to his pivotal role in the EBRD's energy transition team. We discuss EBRD's ambitious goals of achieving over 50% green investments and ensuring alignment with the Paris Agreement, while also exploring the unique challenges and opportunities in making SAF projects attractive to investors.

Roberto offers unique insights into the bankability of SAF across different regions, particularly in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Northern Africa. We delve into the critical factors that make SAF projects viable, such as feedstock supply, market demand, and technology risks. We also discuss the tools available to help spread the risk in new projects through the financial tools EBRD uses to support these projects, including first-loss guarantees, concessional debt, and technical assistance.

Additionally, we discuss the role of mandates, subsidies, and the aviation sector's willingness to adopt greener fuel sources despite higher costs. This episode offers valuable insights into the pivotal role of SAF in decarbonizing aviation and the financial innovations driving its adoption.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure that you check out our previous episode with Binyam Reja, World Bank to hear about the opportunity and challenges of building SAF capacity in emerging markets: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/15581228

Host: Oscar Henderson, SAF Investor