A group of European industrial and energy companies has joined forces to develop one of the continent’s largest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects, marking a significant step toward reducing emissions in the aviation sector and strengthening regional energy security.
Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran and Tereos have announced the formation of Rebound, a joint venture that will lead the development of a large-scale SAF production facility at the Port of Dunkirk in northern France, Aviation Trader reported.
The proposed facility will use alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) technology to convert advanced ethanol produced from agricultural and forestry residues into sustainable aviation fuel.
Once operational, the plant is expected to produce around 160,000 tonnes of SAF annually, supporting efforts to reduce aviation-related emissions while expanding Europe’s domestic supply of lower-carbon aviation fuels.
The four partners have committed funding for the project’s development phase, which will include engineering studies and preparatory activities ahead of a potential Final Investment Decision (FID).
Industry participants view SAF as one of the most important pathways available to reduce carbon emissions from aviation, particularly as airlines face increasing pressure to meet climate targets.
Demand for SAF is expected to rise under the European Union’s RefuelEU Aviation framework, which will progressively increase blending requirements to 6 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050.
Under the partnership structure, Technip Energies will lead project development and engineering activities, leveraging its experience in industrial project execution and technology deployment.
Airbus and Safran will participate as industrial partners and are expected to support future fuel offtake arrangements while also potentially becoming customers of the fuel produced.
Tereos, one of Europe’s major ethanol producers, is expected to provide the advanced ethanol feedstock required for production.
According to the partners, the collaboration brings together expertise across the full sustainable aviation fuel value chain, including feedstock supply, fuel manufacturing and end-use applications.
The project has already secured an important early milestone after being allocated an industrial site at the Port of Dunkirk.
The location is expected to provide logistical advantages for handling raw materials and finished fuel while supporting permitting and development activities.
The next stage of the project will include technology selection, regulatory approvals, pre-FEED and FEED studies, finalisation of feedstock and fuel supply agreements, and arranging financing for construction.
The companies said the establishment of the joint venture remains subject to customary approvals and closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the second half of the year.
