Finnish technology company Liquid Sun has launched a pilot project to produce sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) in partnership with Finnair, ABB, Fortum, and Finavia. The project aims to create a complete system for producing synthetic fuel in Finland, positioning the country as a potential leader in this emerging sector, reports The Stat Trade Times.
The pilot will use Liquid Sun’s low-temperature electrolysis technology, developed from research at Tampere University, to turn biogenic carbon dioxide emissions and renewable hydrogen into aviation fuel. Such emissions in Finland mainly come from the forest industry and biogas plants.
A pre-commercial production unit in Espoo is expected to start operating by autumn 2025. The facility will be the first of its kind in Finland and will focus on testing production methods, validating results, and building capacity for future large-scale supply.
Pasi Keinänen, CEO of Liquid Sun, said the project is designed to speed up the move to cleaner fuels: “This is an opportunity for Finland to take a leading role in the sustainable aviation fuel market. Success depends on working together across the fuel production chain.”
The European Union introduced a mandate in early 2025 requiring airlines to gradually increase the use of renewable fuel, reaching 70% by 2050, with half of it from synthetic fuels. The rules apply to airports with more than 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tonnes of cargo per year, including Helsinki-Vantaa and Rovaniemi in Finland.
Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President at Finavia, said the airport operator is committed to supporting cleaner aviation: “We want to work closely with our partners to make air travel more sustainable and to test new technologies at our airports.”
Finland produces about 20 million tonnes of biogenic carbon dioxide annually through its forest industry, with additional supply from biogas plants. Using these sources can strengthen energy security and support the country’s electricity grid while advancing aviation fuel production.
Riku Aho, Vice President at Finnair, highlighted the importance of the initiative: “Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to reduce emissions. We want to help Finland build its expertise in synthetic fuel production while also moving closer to carbon neutrality.”
Fortum, one of the project partners, is building a renewable hydrogen plant. Vice President Satu Sipola said: “Our goal is to support the shift to carbon neutrality. Supplying renewable energy and, in the future, hydrogen will be a key part of aviation fuel production.”
ABB is also contributing through its H2 Springboard programme. Simo Säynevirta, who leads the initiative, said: “This project shows how collaboration can drive progress in hydrogen technology and sustainable fuel development.”
Keinänen of Liquid Sun added that the pilot project could give Finland an edge: “There is strong global competition to develop efficient synthetic fuels. Finland’s conditions are favourable, and this pilot will help us validate solutions quickly and on a meaningful scale.”
