Biofuel producer EcoCeres has warned that possible trade defence measures on imported sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could hurt the European Union’s climate goals, reduce fair competition, and further strain limited supplies, Biofuels International reported.
With SAF identified as a key element of aviation decarbonisation under the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, the company said policy and trade rules should support steady growth in supply, open trade, and continued innovation rather than restrict them.
EcoCeres noted that SAF supply remains limited and that prices are still higher than those of conventional jet fuel. It cautioned that any trade measures limiting international SAF imports or increasing costs through tariffs could slow adoption, even though blending targets are legally binding.
“If we are serious about meeting climate targets, we cannot afford to close the door on competitive SAF supply,” said Matti Lievonen, Chief Executive Officer of EcoCeres.
He added that measures making SAF more expensive or harder to access would go against the aim of ReFuelEU. According to him, such steps could discourage airlines from shifting away from fossil jet fuel, strengthen market concentration in favour of a small number of EU-based producers, and delay progress towards the bloc’s short- and long-term climate targets.
